Media should back Goa govt to project its image: CM Sawant

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday that the media should support the endeavour of the government to project its image in the "right perspective".

He said that though critics are always welcome, journalists should ensure the authenticity of the news before publishing it so that the state's name is not tarnished, IANS reported.

Addressing an Orientation Programme for Journalists, Sawant said, "Media fraternity should support the endeavour of the government to project its image in the right perspective. Critics are always welcomed, but the journalist should ensure that before writing any news, they should check its authenticity so that the image of the state is protected and not maligned."

He advised journalists to be constructive rather than destructive. They should keep in mind that Goa is an international tourist destination, and efforts are being made to see that it emerges as the tourist capital of the country. Media is capable of projecting the state, making the people explore it, its rich environmental treasure, its sanctuaries, various tourist spots, heritage etc.

The resource person of the programme, senior journalist Anand Narsimhan, said that those who are in the field of media need to keep themselves updated in terms of day-to-day happenings around them.

Later, Professor of Journalism at Savitribai Phule College, Pune, Sanjay Tambat, spoke on the changing environment, challenges and opportunities in contemporary journalism.