PULWAMA, NOVEMBER 02: Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, today held his first formal interaction with the media fraternity of the district after assuming charge, with the interaction focusing on strengthening coordination between the district administration and the media and ensuring effective dissemination of information and public-oriented initiatives.
The interaction was attended by Chief Planning Officer Pulwama, Aashiq Khanday, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Pulwama, Shahbaz Ahmad Bodha, District Information Officer Pulwama, Ms. Wajeeza, besides representatives of the print and electronic media, news agencies and social media content creators.
At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner expressed gratitude to the media fraternity for attending the interaction and appreciated its role in connecting the administration with the people.
Addressing the gathering, the DC emphasized that the media is an integral part of the government-society-administration framework and serves as a vital bridge between the administration and the public. Describing the media as a mirror of society, he highlighted its important role in reflecting public concerns, disseminating information and creating awareness about government initiatives and social issues.
Emphasizing the wide reach and influence of both print and electronic media, the DC stressed that the information people read, watch and consume has a significant and lasting impact on public perception. He underlined that responsible journalism, accuracy, objectivity and credibility are therefore essential, particularly while reporting on sensitive issues concerning society.
Calling for greater professional learning within the media fraternity, the DC urged senior media persons to share their experience and professional wisdom with younger journalists. He observed that practical experience and wisdom are acquired through continuous engagement and learning and contribute to greater clarity, balanced reporting and credibility in journalism.
Highlighting the collective responsibility of the administration and media in addressing social challenges, particularly drug abuse, the DC called for sustained and impactful awareness efforts aimed at reaching ordinary citizens and vulnerable sections of society. He said that visual content, in particular, has a strong recall value and can play an important role in creating social awareness.
The DC further emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability and objectivity in public communication, urging all stakeholders to guard against misinformation, bias and any form of malicious intent. He stated that responsible reporting contributes significantly towards strengthening public confidence in institutions and reinforcing trust between the administration and citizens.
Stressing the need to give greater visibility to welfare-oriented initiatives, the DC called for focused coverage of social security schemes and other government programmes so that eligible beneficiaries are adequately informed about the benefits available to them. He also underlined the importance of accuracy in census-related information and other official data, stating that correctness and integrity of data are fundamental to effective planning, governance and informed public discourse.
As part of strengthening institutional coordination, the DC proposed the formulation of a Common Minimum Programme between the district administration and the media fraternity, under which areas of common public interest would be identified and taken up collectively on a regular basis. He said that such coordinated efforts would help highlight developmental achievements, address public concerns and strengthen the support system available to citizens.
The DC also proposed holding media interactions at regular intervals, preferably once every three months, to ensure continuous dialogue, timely exchange of information and stronger coordination between the administration and the media.
Discussing the role of media in strengthening public trust, the DC emphasized that both the administration and media should work together to communicate to people that the system is accessible, responsive and supportive. He assured that whenever additional information, clarification or factual inputs are required for any news report, the concerned office would provide the necessary information, including a factual rebuttal wherever required.
The DC further said that a SWOT analysis be undertaken in the district to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges in various areas of district development and governance and urged media professionals to play a positive role in generating awareness about the analysis among the public so that the objectives of SWOT analysis are achieved efficiently.
He also informed that initiatives focusing on skill development, employment and student support are being planned for the district, with the objective of creating greater opportunities for youth and strengthening their linkage with skills, education and employment.
On the proposal for establishing a Press Club in Pulwama, the DC directed the ACR Pulwama to identify suitable land for the purpose. He emphasized that the proposed Press Club should not merely be a physical building, but should evolve into a platform for discussion, exchange of ideas, professional interaction, vision-building and constructive dialogue.
On the occasion, the media representatives appreciated the initiative of the Deputy Commissioner to hold the interaction soon after assuming charge, and assured full cooperation and support to the district administration in highlighting developmental initiatives and issues of public importance.
The media fraternity also emphasized the need for proper coordination during government functions and programmes and stressed that professional and authorized media coverage should be facilitated in an organized manner.
The representatives assured that they would work collectively with the district administration to bring the positive developments and achievements of Pulwama to the fore while continuing to highlight issues concerning the public in a responsible manner.
