 Minister Rambukwella |
He said that Professionals' Associations in the country do not accept journalists as professionals. The Minister noted that one of the main targets of the government is to arrange the background for journalists to be recognized at professional level by improving their knowledge and experience in the field.
He was addressing the Esidisi Mass Media Scholarship Awards Ceremony held at the Ministry auditorium yesterday. Scholarships were granted for media training programs for 2011 to 71 selected media personnel representing both government and private electronic and print media institutions.
This was carried out in accordance with a pledge in the Mahinda Chintana policy. Optimum value of the scholarships will be Rs 100,000 and these are given on non repayment basis. The Minister also said that art and media have a high position in the journey to make this country the knowledge hub.
"Images of journalists are immortal and they are a sensitive group. Journalists provide their valuable leadership in any kind of revolution."
"Journalists have a high responsibility and they should understand it properly. The past few years was a period we underwent the most number of severe crises in recent history," he said.
"To face these challenges we all have to go beyond our routine duties and responsibilities while contributing to take the country forward. In a critical stage like this, journalists have a high responsibility and they must carefully select the limit of their reporting," he noted. He pointed out that media could bring about an attitudinal change in the society and it has the duty to convert the minds of people to believe in the strength of nation.
"There was a time in the past that people gave up their hopes about the future of the country. They attempted to send their children overseas. However, we can have hopes about a secured and brighter future today. At this stage, media has the responsibility to correct the attitude of people that we are a proud and victorious nation," he said.
Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala said that Rs 50 million is provisioned through the budget for the welfare work of journalists.
Measures are underway to introduce a pension scheme and to provide cameras and laptops at concessionary prices for journalists, he said.
Ganegala said that even though only 19 scholarships were granted last year, the government has now paid attention to provide more facilities for them to raise the status of journalists anticipating a quality service in return.
Daily News - Disna MUDALIGE
