When no transparency is there in implementing schemes with Press being kept in dark, scope of corruption is higher: Alice Yhoshu
Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / Asiantribune *

Kohima, February 14 2019: General Secretary of the Kohima Press Club (KPC), Alice Yhoshu said when there was no transparency in the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and the Press kept in the dark, there was more scope for corruption.

She was speaking at the as Special Guest at the 'One day media workshop 'VARTALAP,' a flagship program of the Central Government held here at EastGate Hotel on Thursday.

The workshop was organized by Government of India, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

The KPC general secretary said though there were many centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in Nagaland often, only the implementing departments were aware of the details.

She said in some instances even the state's administrators did not have any knowledge about a particular scheme, leaving aside the media fraternity and the public.

She stressed the importance of organizing proper training for journalists to understand myriad schemes so that they would be able to interpret them to the people.

General Secretary of the Kohima Press Club (KPC), Alice Yhoshu speaking at the 'One day media workshop 'VARTALAP' held here at EastGate Hotel on February 14, 2019 ; The workshop was organized by Government of India, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

Yhoshu said media had very little exposure to most of the centrally sponsored schemes as there was very little or no interaction at all between the implementing departments and the journalists.

She also asked PIB as to how much it worked in disseminating information about the Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

"To my opinion, there is a huge gap between the PIB personnel that are stationed here in Nagaland and the local press.

Not to offend anyone, but the PIB must be more proactive and be in touch with journalists here, periodically if not regularly," she said.

Suggesting for the improvement of disseminating information in respect of the CSS, she told the PIB to be a "bridge of updates to journalists who want to do in-depth or follow up reports on those schemes.

Advisor of Information and Public Relations, SCERT, VG, Government of Nagaland, Toshi Wungtung, who was Chief Guest in the program, said journalism should have a holistic approach and not be half-baked.

The advisor said the knowledge and attitude was vital to create complete awareness which would ultimately lead to the practice of the awareness.

"Freedom of speech should not be corrupted and there should be a balanced view based on facts to achieve a balanced society," he added.

Wungtung said 'VARTALAP' was a focus on media to mediate about network and networking which had to be conclusive and result oriented.

The hallmark and role of the media should be both observant and participant and responsible journalism should be to tell the difference between "what the truth is and what is fake," he stated.

He also stressed the need to create awareness for the general population and here "media acts as the vehicle of deliverance to the people." If there was an absence of communication between the government and the target groups, there would be devastation and this was where journalists came in, he added.

Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Dr.Manazir Jeelani, Samoon, also spoke on the occasion as guest of honor.

He said India was largest democracy and if the people's participation was not there, there would be loopholes and the country would not be a vibrant democracy.

Therefore, the media played a very important role in ensuring that the people's participation came directly as well as indirectly, he added.

He also said it was important to know all the government schemes and their implementations and the media personnel should know as to whether all these schemes were really implemented.

He further encouraged the media personnel to go to the field to get the firsthand experience and also to get the facts right so that the credibility of the news would increase and people would get to know the real issues.

Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Dr.Manazir Jeelani, Samoon, also spoke on the occasion as guest of honor.

He said India was largest democracy and if the people's participation was not there, there would be loopholes and the country would not be a vibrant democracy.

Therefore, the media played a very important role in ensuring that the people's participation came directly as well as indirectly, he added.

He also said it was important to know all the government schemes and their implementations and the media personnel should know as to whether all these schemes were really implemented.

He further encouraged the media personnel to go to the field to get the firsthand experience and also to get the facts right so that the credibility of the news would increase and people would get to know the real issues.

In the Technical Session, there were five resource persons who presented various papers on various topics mainly on various centrally sponsored schemes including Smart City Mission.

KMC administrator, Kovi Meyase, talked on the 'Kohima Smart City Mission; additional director, Social Welfare, Tulula Pongen on 'Poshan Abhiyan'; deputy director, H&FW, Dr.Kikameren Longkumer on 'Ayushman Bharat'; SDO, Water & Sanitation Support Organization, PHED, Er.

Wongjanbeni Odyuo on 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'; and additional director, Agriculture, Peter Yanthan on 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana & Farmers' Welfare related Schemes' .

There were interactive sessions with the media persons attending the Workshop.

Deputy director, PIB, Abdul Hamid, IIS delivered the welcome address while News Editor, AIR, Kohima, Asonuo, IIS delivered Vote of thanks.

R.J.Tiamongla chaired program.

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