National Media Centre unveiled, PM stresses on media credibility
Headlines 10:45
New Delhi, August 25: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi jointly inaugurated the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's new National Media Centre on Raisina Road in New Delhi on Saturday.
The National Media Centre with its modern infrastructure will serve as the communication hub of the government.
The media centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate enhanced media access to the government and is likely to house the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
"This media centre symbolises the vibrant mood of the existing media landscape in the country. I am sure it will fulfill the needs and requirements of our media fraternity, many of whom are present here today," Dr. Manmohan Singh said during the inauguration.
"A witch hunt is no substitute for investigative journalism. At the end of day, credibility is media's currency," the Prime Minister said, adding that the spirit of inquiry should not lead to calumny.
He said that the media was among the principal beneficiaries of the wave of economic reforms introduced in the country, and advancements like the internet, telecom revolution, low-cost broadcasting and social media were inconceivable just two decades ago.
The PM further asserted that media and civil society are an essential part of democracy and nation building and added that the UPA Government has always fostered a free, pluralistic and independent media.
"Media is a reflection of the entire society at large and the media has enormous reach. Media and civil society are an essential part of democracy and nation building.
"Advancements like internet, telecom revolution, low cost broadcasting and social media were inconceivable two decades ago. I reiterate commitment of UPA Government in fostering a free, pluralistic and independent media," he said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that constructive criticism of the policies of the government by the media was welcome as it played an important function of a watchdog.
"We welcome the watchdog role of the media," Sonia Gandhi said, adding that it had strengthened democracy.
The centre costing around Rs. 60 crore is sprawled over a 1.95 acre plot and can hold around 300 mediapersons in the main press conference auditorium.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had said that the location, Raisina road, will cut distance and travel time between events for dignitaries and the media personnel.
The Ministry added that this initiative aims at improving dissemination of information about government policies and programmes.
The National Media Centre with its modern infrastructure will serve as the communication hub of the government.
The media centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate enhanced media access to the government and is likely to house the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
"This media centre symbolises the vibrant mood of the existing media landscape in the country. I am sure it will fulfill the needs and requirements of our media fraternity, many of whom are present here today," Dr. Manmohan Singh said during the inauguration.
"A witch hunt is no substitute for investigative journalism. At the end of day, credibility is media's currency," the Prime Minister said, adding that the spirit of inquiry should not lead to calumny.
He said that the media was among the principal beneficiaries of the wave of economic reforms introduced in the country, and advancements like the internet, telecom revolution, low-cost broadcasting and social media were inconceivable just two decades ago.
The PM further asserted that media and civil society are an essential part of democracy and nation building and added that the UPA Government has always fostered a free, pluralistic and independent media.
"Media is a reflection of the entire society at large and the media has enormous reach. Media and civil society are an essential part of democracy and nation building.
"Advancements like internet, telecom revolution, low cost broadcasting and social media were inconceivable two decades ago. I reiterate commitment of UPA Government in fostering a free, pluralistic and independent media," he said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that constructive criticism of the policies of the government by the media was welcome as it played an important function of a watchdog.
"We welcome the watchdog role of the media," Sonia Gandhi said, adding that it had strengthened democracy.
The centre costing around Rs. 60 crore is sprawled over a 1.95 acre plot and can hold around 300 mediapersons in the main press conference auditorium.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had said that the location, Raisina road, will cut distance and travel time between events for dignitaries and the media personnel.
The Ministry added that this initiative aims at improving dissemination of information about government policies and programmes.
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