SHIMLA-16^th November, 2024-Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri while presiding over the State-level National Press Day function at Hotel Holiday Home today, emphasized the role of media in preserving the ethics and principles of journalism.

Addressing the media, he highlighted how emerging technologies have significantly transformed the landscape of journalism. He noted that in an era dominated by social media, journalists face unprecedented challenges and have a greater responsibility to disseminate accurate and reliable information to the public.

The identity of the newspaper or any journal is due to the credibility of the news content and at the same time the stature of a journalist among its readers. This is only the biggest achievement of a journalist. He said that truth, objectivity, transparency and impartiality are expected in journalism and the media has the responsibility of presenting important social events, information related to the work of the government and other information to the society on the basis of truth and facts.

Speaking on the theme 'Changing nature of Press' he said that the impact of digitalization can be clearly seen in the field of journalism, particularly during the last two decades. The role of social media is fast expanding day by day however the freedom of Press should be protected at all cost.

The Deputy Chief Minister also narrated his experiences as a journalist and the challenges the media persons faced during that era.

He suggested media persons to maintain the credibility of the content and should develop the habit of reading the newspapers and not only their own written news the next day to evaluate and review their stories. He said that now most journalists depend on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Google services which won't make them true professionals in the field of journalism. The basis of human intellect is acquired via the process of learning through a variety of experiences and situations. He also shared his experiences when he started his journalistic journey.

He also exhorted to disseminate the policies of the State Government citing the example that the Sukh Aashray Yojna scheme started by the Government to adopt 6000 children as the 'Children of the State' was the first of its kind in the entire country and should be widely publicized. Similarly, he also mentioned about other welfare schemes of the Government.

Professor and Chairman, Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, Himachal Pradesh University, Dr. Shashi Kant Sharma highlighting the changing role of the media stated that that in the present scenario everyone has become a journalist with a mobile in hand. Social media, though can be treated as a medium of information, but can't be purely relied upon, he stated. Human brain finds ways to exceed our physical capabilities, the combination of mathematics, algorithms, computational methods, and statistical models is accelerating our scientific pursuit. AI is a friend who can shake your hand, hug you, but cannot embrace you.The Press needs to reform itself, reform its working and keep pace with the modern technologies. He also briefed about the changing trends in journalism.

Editor, Himachal Dastak Hemant Kumar in his address stated that due to expansion in journalism, a vast change has been witnessed. Even those not related with media or understand the ethical values have jumped for glamour in Media world.

The fourth pillar, which once was known for its sanctity has witnessed rapid changes. Changes have led to increased stress. It is pathetic that as of today there is no such debate on the waning of media. The fake news which is a biggest threat, also needs to be detected and many initiatives have been taken by the government at all levels to do the same.

Media houses have adopted commercial practices, they have fixed some guidelines for the media which the media persons have to abide, though which doesn't go well with the people. Time has come to rethink and rebuild the positivity and ethical values of media. He said that to learn more, one has to read and must read any magazine, journal, newspaper or books thoroughly to expand one's vision and thinking.

Manjeet Sehgal, Editor India Today from Chandigarh while speaking on the occasion gave a detailed comparison between social, electronic and Print media. He emphasised on detecting fake news for which many initiatives have been taken.

While assimilating this period of change, we will have to remain firm on our values and ideals. He said that the discussion organized on National Press Day provides us an opportunity to discuss the contemporary issues as well.

He said that the human mind is capable of adjusting its perspectives in response to the changing conditions of its surroundings. Because of this, people are able to remember information and excel in a variety of activities. Proliferation of Internet and consumer shift towards digital media can be seen. He also made comparison of readership and viewership, wherein 66 percent Indians like short stories, 49 % rely on social media and 40% Indians trust Print media for news, he said.

Ashwani Sharma, a senior journalists and Bureau Chief, Outlook, said that that due to the expansion of information technology, every person has become a medium of information and communication. Presently with the use of technology, there has been an increase in the facility and means of dissemination of information. But many new challenges have also emerged. He advised not to depend on desk stories, rather a journalist should visit the spots to prepare his story, adding that a journalists should not depend solely on the hear say.

Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Secretary Information and Public Relations, Rakesh Kanwar welcomed and honoured the Chief Guest.

Director, Information and Public Relations Rajiv Kumar also welcomed and honoured the keynote speakers on the occasion and thanked the media fraternity for participating in numbers.

The students of Journalism and Mass Communications from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) also participated in the event.