हिंदी
Chandigarh, May 20 – In a time when the Haryana Government is putting up a tough fight against the deadly second wave of COVID-19 Pandemic on all fronts, the role of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department certainly becomes pivotal in assuring circulation of authentic and factual information at grassroot levels.
Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director-General Information Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agarwal said this while presiding over a meeting of Information and Public Relations Officers of all the districts to review the publicity centric arrangements and efforts being made by the department for the prevention of COVID-19 held through video conferencing today.
Dr. Agarwal said that this is the most challenging time and at this time of crisis Information and Public Relations Officers have to play most crucial role in fostering positivity among the people of the state by giving them authentic and accurate information through the media.
“From Chief Minister to officials including COVID Warriors are working at war footing levels in ensuring adequate arrangements being made to tackle this Pandemic. Therefore creating positive atmosphere is need of the hour and efforts should be made for the same,” directed Sh. Amit Agrawal.
He said that it is the utmost responsibility of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department to swiftly circulate positive news highlighting the efforts and arrangements made by the State Government to tackle this Pandemic.
Highlighting the need of keeping a tab on fake and authentic news being circulated on social media, Sh. Amit Agrawal said that every DIPRO should closely monitor Facebook pages, Twitter, YouTube, web portals, news channels, other social media platforms to nip those involved in circulating ‘fake news’, spreading sensationalism and misinformation about COVID-19 and to stay abreast of the situation so that panic is not spread among the people.
He said that if any information received from social media or anywhere else is misleading or beyond the facts, then necessary information highlighting the factuality should be done in a time bound manner.
“Regular efforts should be made for ensuring circulation of success and inspirational case stories regarding COVID-19 through newspapers, electronic channels and social media,” he said.
He said that an efficient system for sharing maximum information in a time bound manner with the media persons should be ensured.
Besides this, vigilant check on news published in local newspaper, especially for evening newspapers should be done so that people of the state can get factual and accurate information during this hour of crisis, he added.
He further said that every officer should ensure that no news is published or circulated without official version. He said that a dedicated WhatsApp group should be created for the media persons for sharing daily factual updates about the work being done by the Government.
Dr. Agrawal called upon the officers of the department to do their duty diligently during the COVID-19 Pandemic and contribute in creating a positive environment.
Additional Director (Admin.), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, Joint Director (Admn.), Information Public Relations and Languages, Department, Sh. Aman kumar, Additional Director (Field), Sh. Kuldeep Saini and Joint Director (Press), Smt. Neerja Bhalla were present during the meeting.
