Uttarakhand CM Dhami emphasizes role of journalism, pledges support for Press Club

New Delhi: Attending the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executive committee of the Uttaranchal Press Club at the Parade Ground in Dehradun on Friday, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said journalism is the fourth pillar of democracy and it holds governments accountable, society aware, and ordinary citizen’s alert. Independent, informed, and responsible journalism serves as a strong bridge between the government and the public.

Earlier, CM Dhami administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected office bearers. Congratulating all the newly elected office bearers, CM Dhami said that the Uttaranchal Press Club is a powerful platform for the state's democratic consciousness. In a press release, issued by the Uttarakhand government’s public information department, the Uttaranchal Press Club has always maintained its dignity, impartiality, and credibility.

CM Dhami said that in the digital age, fake news and misinformation are spreading rapidly through social media, making the role of journalists even more crucial. Only impartial and responsible reporting with accurate facts can protect society from confusion, he said. CM Dhami said that Uttarakhand's journalists have courageously performed their duties in every challenging situation. He said that journalists' pens have the power to highlight problems and pave the way for solutions.


According to CM Dhami, the state government is sensitive to the problems of journalists. Numerous steps have been taken to ensure journalists' safety, health insurance, emergency assistance, and housing. He added that accredited journalists are being prioritized under various government schemes. Several senior journalists have been honoured under the “Senior Journalist Honour Scheme”.

He said that the issue of building of the Uttarakhand Press Club will soon be constructed as a model building. He also said that the budget for the Journalist Welfare Fund under the Chief Minister's Journalist Pension Scheme has been increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.