Srinagar, May 19: Media Education Research Centre (MERC) of Kashmir University in collaboration with J&K Yateem Foundation (JKYF) organized a day-long programme on “Media and Social Responsibilities” in which speakers highlighted the role of media towards orphans, widows and destitute.
 Speaking on the occasion, HoD MERC, Prof S Mufeed Ahmed said the department is proud to hold this programme in collaboration with a reputed organization like JKYF.
 “The idea is to understand the problems of people on ground and to think of solutions to their deficiencies,” Prof Mufeed said.
 He also stressed upon rechecking of facts and reporting objectively. He said that journalists should perceive, conceive and then implement things for the social good. He assured full support to JKYF on behalf of MERC. .
 Senior faculty member at MERC, Nasir Mirza said that journalists should extend their helping hand to the people in all possible ways.
 “In journalism, there is a big debate going on whether to rescue or report in times of crisis, but I feel that journalists should strike a balance. While discharging their professional duties, they should extend a helping hand to the people in distress, whenever and wherever possible. An ideal journalist is one who is spiritually awake, morally alert, politically conscious and socially active,” Mirza said.
 He also stressed on “utilizing power of communication to help people live a better life and to bring a smile on those faces who are troubled by times.”
 Emphasizing on the role of media in sensitizing society, Chairman JKYF, Muhammed Ahsan Rather said that journalists are a great instrument in institutionalizing social work.
 “You (journalists) can be of great help and support to the masses. And you can do a lot while doing your work,” he said.
 Muhammed Rafiq Lone, Associate Programme Executive, Press and publicity Division, JKYF underlined the importance of doing good deeds. Er. Syed Abdul Hameed, Patron JKYF, said that it is the collective responsibility of the society to play its role to minimize the problems of orphans and destitute.”
 Showkat Shafi, Assistant Dean and PRO Kashmir University said that “reporting is a bigger social responsibility.”
 “In nineties, it was media that highlighted things and kept the people informed. We should not try to influence media rather give them their own space. Journalists should rise to the occasion and report. It is because of them things are surfacing,” he added.
 On the occasion JKYF felicitated the department and gave certificates to the students and faculty members in connection with the 12th annual day celebrations of the foundation held on April 29. Lecturer MERC, Raashid Maqbool conducted the proceedings of the event, while as Tariq Ahmed Rather, Media Communication Officer, Press Information Bureau presented the vote of thanks. 

Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 IST