Don’t mix news, views, says Venkaiah Naidu

Mr Naidu visited All-India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra in Hyderabad on Monday.  Union minister for I&B M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday advised the media not to play into the hands of terrorists and avoid making them “heroes”. Mr Naidu visited All-India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra in Hyderabad on Monday. Speaking at the review meeting held at Doordarshan Kendra, Mr Naidu infused confidence in the officials of different media units of the ministry while interacting with them to understand their problems. Mr Naidu said that the media should work together in bringing social harmony and discourage policitisation of social issues. He stressed that there cannot be any compromise on the safety and security of the nation, adding that everyone must accept that the nation is above everything. “Terror, terrorism and violence are the biggest threats to humanity. Terrorism has no religion, no colour and everyone in one voice must denounce terrorism”, the minister remarked.

He further advised the media not to get involved in either speculation or invention of news. He said, “Let us not mix news with views and create a bad practice.’’ He urged the media not to be biased towards rural people, agriculturists, down trodden sections, women and disabled people and give more coverage to highlight their grievances. The Union I&B minister stressed the need for upholding credibility in dissemination of information by public broadcasters. “Public service broadcasters have a great responsibility on their shoulders to ensure credibility in the era of competition,” he said.