SagarWatch@ The measures to prevent corona are very common but people are negligent in following them. In such a situation the media can play a positive role in this direction. These thoughts expressed by State Health Information Education Communication Bureau Director Basant Kurre in a webinar, which was jointly organized, on the 74 the independent day, by the Bhopal Chapter of the Public Relations Society of India, UNICEF and the Neovision Society. Its theme was the role of media in the Corona era. About 100 journalists from senior print media from all the nine divisions of the state participated in the webinar.
In this webinar, State Health Information Education Communication Bureau Director Basant Kurre was the special guest and senior journalist, writer and political analyst Mr Girija Shankar Webinar was the chief guest. The program was welcomed by Mr Manoj Dwivedi, National Council Member of the Public Relations Society of India and Dr Sanjeev Gupta of Bhopal Chapter.
While on speaking on Medias role in Covid-19 pandemic situation, Shri Basant Kurre said The government is making every effort to make the common man aware of these measures to prevent infection, and in the same sequence, the "Protection with Cooperation" campaign has also been launched by the Honorable Chief Minister but the media plays an important role in determining people's opinion.
In this connection, Senior Journalist Girja Shanker highlights that Corona spread is a new phase for everybody. In such a situation, all journalists have to find a positive role. In this changed scenario, what they can contribute to keeping the society in the right direction, journalists have to think and try their own place.
People believe in journalists and expect that they will get correct and authentic information from journalists. Therefore, Journalists need to make people aware of keeping the information themselves.
Unknown fear arises only from incomplete information. The psychology of fear is dangerous. Journalists require that they use easy, spoken words instead of technical terminology. In the Corona era, when our ethos has been postponed, the media has access to the people at such a time.
There is a need to convert fear into faith. This is a new experience for all of us, so there is no permanent cure for it. Guidelines are also changing frequently. By keeping the information to ourselves, it becomes necessary to give correct and authentic information.
He said that due to corona, not only social life, the economy has been affected but also psychologically it has affected people deeply. As a journalist, we all should have this role that we should remove the fear prevailing among the people.
Journalists need to act ethically. they have to see that the necessary fears such as following the measures to avoid infection, adopting precautions etc. are maintained. But the society has to be saved from discriminating people due to corona due to unnecessary fear.
Journalists, need to create an atmosphere of trust. People have to be assured that this phase will pass soon. The atmosphere of horrors will have to work towards normalization rapidly. Corona warriors need encouragement.
Communication expert for the development of UNICEF Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Sanjay Singh, in his presentation gave detailed information about the security campaign in collaboration with the state government to make the general public aware of the corona.
He told that government fully participating in this campaign launched on the occasion of Independence Day by the state government today. Participation of various sections of society is being ensured in the campaign. Apart from the government staff, elected public representatives, players, artists, religious leaders etc. are also being added to the campaign. It is a campaign of social participation which will be led by the whole society.
In the inauguration of the webinar, Mr Pushpinder Pal Singh, President of Public Relations Society of India Bhopal Chapter and Editor-in-Chief of Employment and Construction Paper, discussed the subject of media personnel during the Corona in detail.
He insisted on adopting the values of factual ethical journalism while avoiding fake news and rumours. He explained, with examples, the precautions taken in the selection of words during Corona reporting. He called on journalists to vow that no one would tolerate discrimination and stigma.
