Anantnag, November 7: Sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Suhail Ahmad Lone  convened an interaction meeting with the media fraternity regarding media ethics and responsible journalism  here at SDM office Kokernag on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Tehsildar Kokernag Sheikh Ansar,Tehsildar Larnoo Syed Muiz Qadri,SHO Kokernag ,Vice President Anantnag Working Journalists Association (AWJA) Shah Hilal, Seniors members of ( AWJA ) Peer Muzaffar, Tariq Ahmad, Shafeeq-ul-Aalam, Mir Arshid ,Majid Salam, besides other media persons representing different print, and social media organisations.

The focus was put on positive journalism and prevention of fake news.

The journalists were sensitised about the negative impact of irresponsible journalism and publishing news without any research/verification of the news item.

The journalists were assured of all the support of administration in bringing public issues to the notice of administration.

On the occasion media persons highlighted different issues being faced by the fraternity and general public of the Kokernag sub division thorough discussions were held to ensure better coordination between the administration and media agencies to facilitate dissemination of factual information through the media.

Suggestions were also sought from the media persons for addressing the problems being faced by them in connection with the dissemination of developmental activities being carried out in the Sub-division Kokernag.

Speaking on the occasion,SDM said that the real essence of democracy is possible only with positive journalism. He ensured all possible help to the media from Administration for upholding free fair and positive journalism in the sub-division.

SDM said that the media plays an important role in getting public feedback and enables the administration to implement the government welfare schemes and other activities on the lines of public aspirations for inclusive development. He thanked all the media persons and extended his best wishes to them. He assured full cooperation of the administration for positive journalism and urged for fair, unbiased, responsible and professional reporting for highlighting the issues of public importance. He also urged journalists to report about welfare schemes and government programmes so that they can report the anomalies which will ultimately help the public at large.

The journalists hailed the interactive session and thanked SDM kokernag for providing handholding session to media fraternity