Bihar Media Trained on Disaster Reporting by State Disaster Management Authority

Patna- Emphasizing the importance of “humanity and sensitivity” in journalism, the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) conducted a training workshop on Friday for media personnel on pre-disaster preparedness and management.

The workshop, held at Gyan Bhawan, was inaugurated by the Authority’s Vice President, Dr. Uday Kant. Dr. Kant, in his address, underscored the challenges faced by journalists and stressed the importance of fearless and ethical reporting. He highlighted the role media can play in assisting disaster relief efforts through accurate and positive reporting.

BSDMA Secretary, Meenendra Kumar, outlined the workshop’s objectives and the crucial role media plays in disaster preparedness and media training. Senior journalists, including Arun Sinha (former editor, Navhind Times, Goa) and Vijay Kumar Mishra, participated in the event, with Arun Sinha’s message delivered via audio clip. Vijay Kumar Mishra emphasized the need to prioritize news with a focus on public well-being, highlighting the importance of reporting on the Authority’s disaster prevention efforts.

Media Guru founder, Sanjay Salil, commended the Authority’s use of modern technologies like AI, ML, AR, and VR in disaster management, highlighting Bihar’s pioneering role in this area. Gautam Kumar of Times Internet elaborated on the positive applications of these technologies in media, showcasing their potential to enhance journalism.

Prabhakar Kumar, News Editor of NDTV, shared his experiences covering disasters like the 2008 Kosi flood and Nepal earthquake, emphasizing the challenges and preparations needed for effective disaster reporting. Senior journalist, Swayam Prakash, advocated for value-based reporting with a focus on humanity and sensitivity. Pushya Mitra echoed this sentiment, urging for positive reporting and highlighting the Authority’s commendable work. He stressed the importance of journalists ensuring proper implementation of government disaster preparedness guidelines at the local level.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Ravindra Bharti and the presentation of mementos to the participants. A large number of journalists from various print, television, and online media outlets, along with journalism students from Patna Women’s College, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, and St. Xavier’s College of Management, attended the event.