Media has major role in holding Parliamentarians accountable to their people : Naidu

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on December 10, 2019,  said that Parliament must support constructive initiatives of the Government and suggest solutions to the challenges as they emerge as the government depends on the collective advice of the Parliament.

“The Parliamentarians should, therefore, be virtuous, mature and wise so that they can collectively be a body that guides the nation’s future in the right direction,” he said.

Addressing a gathering after presenting Lokmat Parliamentary Awards in New Delhi, the Vice President called upon Parliamentarians and the Media to actively take part in addressing social challenges like poverty, illiteracy, gender discrimination, and atrocities against women that were impeding the progress of India. He opined that addressing these challenges was extremely important to take India on an inclusive path of development and to see that every citizen receives benefits from the growth process.

Stating that the media has a major role in holding Parliamentarians accountable to their people and that an informed citizenry was a precondition for a healthy democracy and a transparent and accountable Parliament, Naidu  called upon media houses like Lokmat to ensure this accountability by informing and educating people. He said that as the Fourth Pillar of our democracy, media must take lead in sensitising people on key issues and also in creating a positive environment for promoting social good and getting rid of social evils, according to a PIB release.

Pointing out that of late, certain aberrations like paid news and fake news, corporate influence and colouring news with political views of reporters and editors, Naidu said that such trends must be curbed at the earliest. Stressing that media and the representative Parliamentary institutions must synergise their efforts to strengthen the democratic roots in the country and encourage a culture of constructive Parliamentary debates, the Vice President urged media to facilitate a healthy interface between all the stakeholders in parliamentary democracy.

Naidu observed that it was the primary duty of elected Members to not only reflect people’s will but also provide guidance to the Government as well as people and avoid unruly behaviour. “Members must eschew populism for a righteous principled stand for the good of society and country,” he said. He also stressed that Parliamentary Committees must actively supplement the debates in the Parliament.