Team Herald
PONDA: Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Rajendra Arlekar, criticized news organisations for ignoring social issues and focusing more on publishing “their unnecessary views” on political issues. He said it was degrading to journalism and dangerous for society.
Arlekar was speaking at the 34th Anniversary celebration of Lokvishwas Pratishtan (LP), an institution dedicated to the welfare of special-needs children. He stated that the press should stop inserting their views with the news and let people form their own opinions. He said the newspapers had an editorial page, which they should use for their write-ups to avoid mixing views. He also urged the press to dedicate the front page to social issues instead of politics and crime.
Arlekar went on to laud Lokvishwas Pratishtan for its contribution to special-needs children and society in general. He stated that the “great editor and journalist”, late Narayan Athawale, did great work through journalism to establish a school for neglected special-needs children. It addressed their problems and brought some happiness in their lives. Arlekar expected the same social work from the press.
Journalist Arwindh Shirsat was later awarded the Narayan Athwale Journalist Award initiated in memory of the late LP founding member Narayan Athawale.
