‘VARTALAP’- STRENGTHENING LOCAL JOURNALIST

Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon addressing the media workshop organised by Press Information Bureau, Kohima, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on July 25. (DIPR Photo)

Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon addressing the media workshop organised by Press Information Bureau, Kohima, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on July 25. (DIPR Photo)

Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon addressing the media workshop organised by Press Information Bureau, Kohima, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on July 25. (DIPR Photo)

 

Kohima, July 25 (MExN): A one day media workshop 'Vartalap' on identified flagship programme of the central government is being organised for the second time by Press Information Bureau, Kohima, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on July 25.


A DIPR report stated that PIB disseminates information to the print, electronic and news media in Government plans, policies, programme initiatives and achievements. Its main objective of organising is mainly to focus on capacity building of local journalist to develop a more effective information flow between PIB and the journalist as well as with the implementing departments of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

 

‘Empower people’
Advisor IT, Science & Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon in his speech as the chief guest stated that Vartalap is an important programme of the Government of India which is like a mission for regional centre for interacting, it is an attempt to bridge the policy gap between the policy maker and the implementation and also dissemination for the welfare of the citizens of this country.


Kikon said that media can make a success stories by studying the case of centrally sponsored scheme whether it is utilised or availed rightly. He pointed that, news is not about just reporting or how one is reporting but it's about whether our reporting empowers people or reporting just to follow certain protocols.

 

‘Make impactful stories’
He mentioned that in this high tech world whether it be fake or real news it reaches us faster than before, hence appropriately highlighting the success stories which can be of even the local colonies in every district of Nagaland, it will be one of a success story which will encourage and empower people.


He expressed that media have wonderfully done and given massive coverage so far but there are certain issues that still need to make a little effort. Therefore, he pointed that with the power of internet which is growing by leaps and bounds should be used to enable and make our system of governance easier and reach out to the rural areas that are still unaware of the central schemes. He also added that, reporters need to prioritise to go deeper to make impactful stories with a greater after life.

 

‘Engage with success stories’
He further stated that, journalist need to reinvent in these times because today every individual with a smart phone in hand is a journalist on the spot. He urged the journalist and media friends to study various missions the central government has started and after accessing the mission objectives gauge its value from prospective of local communities. He also encouraged the journalist to engaged with success stories, follow out the progress or lack of it, only in that manner the mission of the Government of India can be thoroughly served.


Kikon, also appraised the media to emerged as an ombudsman between the Government, communities and public servants in order to ensure that there is proper translation of the programme, it's objectives of the mission. He said that media has a greater role to take people on board, therefore  appealed them to study, engaged in a constructive suggestion to fulfill the purpose meant for the benefit of the community.

 

‘Be role model’
Principal Director, School Education Department, GoN, Shanavas C, IAS who  spoke as a guest of honour said that Nagaland success story and development does not go out of the state, so it is the ultimate responsibility to break the 'chicken neck' as what people call and be a part of the country in a holistic way. He said that our State should be known for good reasons and success story. He therefore appealed the media who is being one of the pillars of democracy have a major role to play. He said that, coming to the context of Nagaland, there are so many remote districts and village in our state, where they are still unaware of the schemes. Therefore appealed the media fraternity to be a role model in educating the citizens about the schemes and projects, as development will take place only if citizens demand.


He also urged all the media to work hand in hand with the department to educate the citizens, and to achieve all round development in the state.


The inaugural was followed by technical session, where Additional Director, Rural Development Department, Imnukshila Jamir spoke on CSS implemented  by Rural Development; Asst. director Employment Skill Development and Entrepreneurship presented a topic on CSS implemented by Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Zubemo Lotha; Representative from Directorate of School Education delivered a topic on CSS implemented by School Education.

 

Role of media in effective dissemination of information

Director of Information & Public Relations, Limawati Ao who was the special guest, in his speech on the ‘Role of media in effective dissemination of information on centrally sponsored welfare schemes at the grassroots” said that in today’s world, many of us are so incubated with social media not realizing that many a times the blob up messages, images, videos about happenings, killings etc spreads on social media within seconds going viral before they are confirmed and it has now become the state of affairs.


“We should be aware about some IT companies, startups, individuals or cyber technology wizard make money by posting social media about opinions on certain people, parties or their ideas which chokes the society.” He added that some of them do so, with an agenda to influence people and bring people to their vibe thinking with a good intention to spread awareness, encourage ecology, spread message about cleanliness.


Limawati said, besides the day to day happenings on social media, no reports about any welfare and development schemes implemented by the Government, or agencies or any NGO or government is being posted on social media but he opined that people are more genuinely interested in the happening in the grassroot level about the livelihood, improvement and welfare about people in rural areas.


Calling upon the media personnel, he said success stories are very important, it may be a scheme in the block level but when highlight edit encourages not only the beneficiaries but also the officers and staff who are implementing the scheme as they are recognised. It encouraged the others officers and staff in different blocks and districts to do the same and the people of other districts or block can also ask for the same scheme, he added.


Limawati also requested the media personnel that the small success stories about the happening of the people in rural areas should not be neglected as such stories are interesting to all the people in the state.


He also said that due to lack of manpower with some newspaper, many a times a lot of functions at the grassroot level could not be attended so he called up the media house to tie up with the Directorate of Information & Public Relations so as to link up with the press fraternity of different districts for mainstreaming, convergences etc.