Itanagar: Emphasising that a free press is “a responsibility, not a privilege”, Arunachal Pradesh Law and Legislative Minister Kento Jini on Sunday called on journalists to uphold sincerity, accuracy and ethical reporting.
Addressing the National Press Day programme in Itanagar, Jini said the strength of Indian democracy rests on an independent media that informs the public, asks difficult questions and keeps those in power accountable.
He reminded journalists that their work must be anchored in verification, investigation and truth, recalling that the Press Council of India, set up on November 16, 1966, was created to protect both media freedom and ethical standards.
Jini described the press as the fourth pillar of democracy, responsible for exposing corruption, ensuring transparency and acting as a bridge between the government and citizens.
He noted that journalism remains a “vulnerable profession”, often subject to defamation cases, and urged reporters to remain fair, avoid misinformation and exercise additional caution during elections, when misleading exit polls can undermine public trust.
He also said the media has an important role in highlighting human rights violations, strengthening democratic dialogue and safeguarding fundamental rights through truthful reporting.
“Clean and fair journalism should always guide the profession,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, senior journalist and founder-editor of The Reporters’ Collective, Nitin Sethi, said digital tools have widened access to journalism but have also blurred the boundaries between trained reporters and general content creators.
He noted that reporting the truth is especially challenging in the Northeast, where journalists often cover issues involving people they know personally.
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Despite these pressures, Sethi urged young journalists to persist, saying quality journalism is most essential in difficult times and continues to command public respect.
The privilege of questioning those in authority, he added, must be earned through integrity and rigor.
This year’s National Press Day, themed “Upholding India’s Fourth Pillar in the Digital Age”, also included a debate competition won by the team from NERIST.
The programme, organised by the Arunachal Press Club along with the Department of Information and Public Relations, honoured an unsung hero for anti-drug efforts, recognised a Longding village as the cleanest in eastern Arunachal, and presented awards to five journalists for outstanding reporting.
