Prioritise truth over trends: Press Council of India chairperson Ranjana Desai
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI): Journalists should value accuracy more than speed and prioritise truth over trends, Press Council of India Chairperson Justice Ranjana Desai said on Sunday.
Addressing the National Press Day function here, Desai said that the press was facing several challenges and the most worrisome was the loss of press credibility.
"The arbitrary use of technology in mass communication has led to a growing spread of misinformation," she said, adding that the responsibility of journalists in such trying times has become more onerous.
"Their work does not end with reporting an event; it extends to verify facts, interpret them accurately and place them in perspective and not create news," Desai said at the function attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and PTI CEO Vijay Joshi, among others.
"Accuracy should be valued more than speed, and truth should be prioritised over trends," she said.
Desai said the Press Council of India has updated the Norms of Journalistic Conduct and called for greater care and responsibility in reporting.
She also urged the press to show restraint while writing on matters relating to religion or the armed forces, where even a minor inaccuracy can have serious consequences.
Desai said the Council also believed that financial independence was directly connected to upholding press credibility and has advised governments of states and Union territories to develop and implement group insurance schemes for journalists.
She urged journalists to remain alert and thoughtful to the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the field of journalism.
"Technology should help us find the truth, not twist or overshadow it. However advanced these tools may become, they can never replace the human mind – the judgment, conscience and sense of responsibility that guide every journalist to prevent the spread of misinformation," Desai said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
