Scheme interface talks shop about media’s role

Our Correspondent
Dimapur, July 25 (EMN): A workshop named ‘Vartalap’ that focused on flagship programmes of the central government is being conducted for the second time on July 25 in Kohima. The Kohima event was organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
The PIB disseminates information to the print and electronic media about government’s plans, policies, programme initiatives and achievements. Its main objective in organising the media events is mainly to focus on capacity building of local journalists to develop a more effective information flow among the PIB and journalists and the implementing departments of centrally sponsored schemes.

The advisor for Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Mmhonlümo Kikon shared his thoughts on effective journalism during his address to the event. Vartalap, he said, is an important program of the government of India to bridge the policy gap between the policy maker and the implementation entities.

The media can create success stories by studying the case of centrally sponsored schemes whether they are being utilised or availed rightly, Kikon said.

The legislator pointed out that news is not about just reporting or how one is reporting but about ‘whether our reporting empowers people or reporting just to follow certain protocols.’

In this high-tech world, he said information, whether fake or real news, reaches the people faster than before. Therefore, the legislator said, appropriately highlighting success stories which can even be of local colonies in the districts of Nagaland will encourage and empower the people.

Further, Kikon said that the media has done a wonderful job and have given massive coverage so far. ‘But there are certain issues that still need to make a little effort,’ he said. He said that media can be an ombudsman between the government and communities, in ensuring proper translation of the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS).

The advisor suggested that journalists write about success stories of how CSS are helping the people, particularly people from marginalised financial backgrounds. He said the schemes are helping entrepreneurs and others earn their livelihood besides generating employment for others.

He referred to the growth of the internet, and asked people to make judicious use of it and to reach out to the rural areas that are still unaware of the schemes. Further, he urged reporters to delve further and write impactful stories.

The legislator said the internet is growing by leaps and bounds. It should be used to enable and make the system of governance easier. Kikon stated further that journalists need to reinvent their reporting especially in these times because today every individual with a smart phone in hand is a ‘journalist on the spot.’

Reporters or correspondents must be able to not only report but “re-tell the stories,” so as to inspire and empowers others, he said. As media persons, one must study the mission and values of any CSS, from the local perspectives, he added. Follow-up the progress or lack of the schemes, as that will help serve the central mission thoroughly, he added.

The media, he said, can challenge, provoke, and even expose the government. But they should also laud the government when changes and quality development are brought to the society.

The media has a greater role to take people on board, he said. He has appealed to them to study, and to engage in a ‘constructive suggestions to fulfil the purposes meant for the benefit of the community.’

The principal director of School Education, Shanavas C spoke about how the media can play pivotal role at the grass-root level. He said that most citizens in the remote village are ignorant of the central schemes. ‘We have a major role to play’ in this part of the district, he said.

The media fraternity ought to be the role model in educating the citizens about these schemes and projects, as development will take place only if citizens demand, he added.

‘It is high time that we address the issue, teach them how to fight for their rights, alongside the support of the state.’ He suggested that reporters see at the point of what are the schemes bringing to the society. Further, he asked the people to make good use of the social media and spread credible news.

Saying that the Nagaland success story does not go out of the state, it is the ultimate responsibility of the media persons to break the ‘chicken neck’ and be a part of the country in a holistic way. State, he said should be known for good reasons and success story. It has a plenty of tourist potentials and good stories to tell outside the state and media have the major role in that, he added.

The director of the IPR, Limawati Ao, also spoke about the role of the media in effective dissemination of information about centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the grassroots.

Ao felt that there are no reports about any welfare and development schemes implemented by the government, or its agencies or any nongovernmental organisations besides the day to day happenings on social media. He opined that people are more genuinely interested in the happenings at the grass root about livelihood, improvement and welfare in the rural areas.

Urging the media personnel, the IPR official said success stories are very important. It may be a scheme in the block level but when highlighted it encourages not only the beneficiaries but also the officers and staff who are implementing the scheme as they are recognised, he asserted.

Further, he said, it encourages others officers and staff in different blocks and districts to do the same, while people from other districts or areas ask for the same scheme.

Ao asserted that the small success stories and the happenings in the rural areas should not be neglected because such stories are interesting to people.

Due to lack of manpower with some newspapers, many a times a lot of functions at the grass root level cannot be attended to, he acknowledged.

The officer encourages the journalist to write success stories and encourage officers or staffs who are implementing the scheme.

Also, he announced that the office of the Kohima PIB will soon be opening near the deputy commissioner’s office in Kohima.

To bridge the gap between the media houses and departments, he suggested that the government departments come forward and update correspondents and reporters about the schemes and activities of the government departments.

The inaugural segment of the event was followed by a technical session during which the additional director for the Rural Development department Imnukshila Jamir spoke about the centrally sponsored schemes implemented by the Rural Development establishment.

Also, various government agencies spoke about the centrally sponsored schemes that are being implemented by the departments.