AJA (Accredited Journalists Association) vows to raise the voice for Freedom of Press
New Delhi : On the occasion of National Press Day on 16 November, former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya inaugurated AJA (Accredited Journalists Association) - a new association of accredited journalists - at the Press Club of India, Delhi.
Mr Pradeep Jain Aditya , while highlighting the importance of journalism, expressed his good wishes on the formation of the new institution.
He said, "Journalists in far-flung areas of the country need to get the benefit of this. During the programme, S Narendra, the former information officer of the government and former media advisor to the Prime Minister of India, released the souvenir of the institution.
He said, "According to to the government data, about 51,000 newspapers are published in India because very few journalists are working at the ground level for the newspapers. Not only in our country, but newspapers across the globe are being shut down due to a scarcity of funds, which is a matter of serious concern."
Senior Journalist and former Minister of Delhi Pradesh, Mr Ramkant Goswami, who was present as the guest of honour at the event, appealed to all the present journalists to introspect.
He said, "If journalists want independence, then they should also ensure the independence of the readers. The media must put a check on vulgar news for the sake of grabbing eyeballs and the increasing cases of crime within the media."
Mr Goswami emphasized that it is necessary to redefine journalism in the present set up. He hoped that the newly formed recognized journalists' institution would inspire other journalists in the country to work in the right direction.
Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, national president of the AJA (Accreditation Journalist Association), presided over the programme. Mr Chaturvedi elaborated the objectives and activities of the institution in his address.
Mr Chaturvedi said, "Institutional units will be constituted in all the states in due course of time. We will raise the demands and problems of all the recognized journalists in the country with full vigour."
Former journalist and PR Guru Managing Director Manoj Kumar Sharma hailed AJA (Accreditation Journalists Association) as a commendable step taken in the interest of journalists, where the welfare of journalists and protecting their interests will be ensured.
