Chief minister Virbhadra Singh said the government would not allow media to get monopolised, as the media was playing a pivotal role in strengthening the democracy.
“There are few people or groups who want to control the media, but the government will not allow them to do that,” said Singh on the occasion of 'Triveni' function organised by the Good Media news private limited here on Monday.
Singh said some people had been trying to control the media in the state, but could not succeed and now the Congress government would not allow anyone to control media with vested interest. “A few influential people were trying to take control of the electronic media for their self-interest, which is not a healthy practice,” he added.
“The government is in favour of sovereignty of the media and it is providing all possible assistance to maintain the transparency and independence of it,” said Singh.
Singh inaugurated the statewide digital television service and broadband internet facility on cable on the occasion and also congratulated the group on completion of one year of publication of its weekly newspaper.
Singh said local channels had an important role to play in dissemination of government policies and programmes and they needed to realise their responsibility and work without any bias or political pressures.
Elaborating, vice-chairman of the good media Mukesh Malhotra said City Channel had been providing services to the people of the state for the past 20 years. “With the launch of digital network, its consumers will also get internet services which are so far available in Delhi and Punjab,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Elaborating, vice-chairman of the good media Mukesh Malhotra said City Channel had been providing services to the people of the state for the past 20 years. “With the launch of digital network, its consumers will also get internet services which are so far available in Delhi and Punjab,” he added.
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Neighbours' opposition to industrial package is unfortunate: CM
Replying to a question regarding the status of industrial package, the chief minister said the government had taken up the matter with the Centre. He added that it was unfortunate that neighbouring states were opposing the industrial package to Himachal Pradesh, while the state had sacrificed for them.
“Himachal Pradesh has sacrificed as big dams have been installed here and developed neighbouring states,” he said, adding that, “We are happy to help neighbours, but their opposition in industrial package issue is unfortunate.”