Commercialisation of journalism affects impartiality: CM

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhah has said that journalism should be positive and creative in present times. Extreme commercialisation of journalism affected impartiality. He said that newspapers are guides of society and their role in this capacity will also continue in future. Shri Chouhan was addressing programme to mark 30th anniversary of Sapre Museum here today.
Shri Chouhan said that curiosity to know as to which newspaper had presented which important historical event in which words is met only in Madhavrao Sapre Museum. He said that establishement of the museaum is the result of untiring efforts and foresightedness of its founder and journalist Shri Vijaydutt Shridhar. It is his personal achievement, which has become state’s heritage. He said that state government will extend necessary cooperation to further enrich the museuam.
Remembering journalism of Mahatma Gandhi, Madhavrao Sapre and Makhanlal Chaturvedi, Shri Chouhan said that peace and non-violence are weapons of journalism. Referring to his recent South Africa visit, the Chief Minister said that the state governent will provide Rs. one crore to concerning trust to perpetuate memories of Mahatma Gandhi there.
Former Chief Minister Shri Kailash Joshi said that Madhavrao Sapre Museum has removed shortcoming of research in Hindi journalism. For this, he praised Shri Vijaydutt Shridhar. He said that Hindi can be moved ahead only through self-inspiration. The museum will be given maximum cooperation in this.
On the occasion, Shri Ashok Manoria, who is doing journalism for last 5 decades, and noted painter-thinker and writer Shri Amritlal Vegad were felicitated. Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh and vice-chancellor of Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism DR. Sachchidanand Joshi were also honoured for perpetuating memories of Madhavrao Sapre. Dr. Raman Singh’s award was received by his representative Shri Vikram Sisodiya. Shri Ashok Manoria shared experience of his 5-decade journalism. Shri Amritlal Vegad said that journalism loves words and not their commercial use.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan released book “Bharat Ka Paramparagat Jal Vigyan” written by Shri K.G. Vyas. Shri Vijaydutt Shridhar threw light on interesting 3-decade journey of the museum. He informed that the museum which started in small room has now 70 lakh reference materials, which are not available anywhere else. The museum has not only become a centre of pilgrimage for researchers of Hindi journalism, but also for social scientists. It has earned fame at international level. He expressed gratitude towards those associated with the museum including families, institutions, Public Relations Department and state government.
Commissioner Public Relations Shri Rakesh Shrivastava, state capital’s intellectuals, citizens, poets, writers, journalists and researchers were present on the occasion.