National Press Day 2025 in Barbil: “Safeguarding Press Credibility Amidst Rising Misinformation” Echoed by Eminent Voices

Barbil: The Regional Media Forum, Barbil, hosted a grand celebration of National Press Day 2025 on Sunday at Bikash Mahal, centring discussions on this year’s theme — “Safeguarding Press Credibility Amidst Rising Misinformation.” The event brought together distinguished guests, journalists, and students to reflect on journalism’s responsibility in nation-building, especially in mining-affected regions like Barbil.

The program’s chief guest was renowned litterateur Prof. Dr Bimbadhar Behera, while senior journalist Naresh Chandra Patnaik delivered the keynote address.

Honoured guests included Additional Tahasildar Bhuvanananda Nayak and Barbil IIC Ashok Kumar Nayak.

Speakers unanimously stressed the importance of a free, responsible, and credible press, highlighting how misinformation and propaganda threaten journalism’s integrity. They emphasised that safeguarding credibility is vital for promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in society.

The celebration also engaged students of Barbil Degree College, where an essay competition on “The Role of Journalism in Social Development” was held. Winners in both the Intermediate and Graduation categories were awarded certificates.

In the Intermediate category, Rashi Mohanty secured first place, followed by Shubhashree Priyadarshini Giri in second and Sweta Keshri in third. In the Graduation category, Anisha Jha won first place, MD Moinuddhin Khan second, and Moni Bosa third. All participants received certificates of participation, recognising their contributions.

On this occasion, President Award-winning artist Manas Das was felicitated for his outstanding contributions to the arts, while Nalini Agrawal, Chairperson of Draupadi Devi School for Specially Abled Children, Barbil, was honoured for her remarkable efforts in integrating differently-abled children into mainstream society.

The event was presided over by Girdhari Lal, with the secretarial address delivered by Basant Kumar Mahant. Stage proceedings were conducted by Prasant Mohanty, Manoj Sahu, and Rasanand Behera, while Basanta Mahapatra offered the vote of thanks.

The Regional Media Forum’s office bearers, Sajjad Alam, Shankar Konar, Purna Mohanty, and Pradeepta Kumar Dhal played key roles in ensuring the success of the program.

The gathering not only commemorated National Press Day but also reaffirmed journalism’s enduring responsibility in shaping a transparent, inclusive, and progressive society, while echoing the urgent call of the 2025 theme: to safeguard press credibility in the age of misinformation.