Assam Government launched The “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme” as a much-needed mechanism to reform India’s media sector. The journalists have played a crucial and influential role in sensitizing and educating the masses, making them alert & aware of events happening around them. The whole process has been strengthening our democracy. Journalists play a vital role in disseminating the Government’s schemes and other activities about the State’s development and its people. Journalists are crucial in maintaining a balanced atmosphere in society by acting as a connecting dot between the Government and the citizens. Many journalists have been instrumental in maintaining the balance in society by acting as intellectual conscience.
In Comparison to older days, journalists’ role has developed manifold, bringing in more for them and making them responsible even more. As news consumption has grown manifold, so has increased the challenges, duties, and responsibilities of journalists. With the generation of instant and constant information, journalists have to be increasingly careful in understanding its source and authenticity. They have to be extra cautious in their line of duty while reporting or disseminating information to the masses. Apart from being inquisitive and interrogative, they are innovative and creative to maximize their output. They have to rely on primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, information technology, build-up skill, and competence to ensure their reports’ accuracy and authenticity.
One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme
This “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme 2020” is launched by the Government of Assam. The scheme to be constituted under the Information and Public Relations Department of Government of Assam. Under the current plan, the state government shall provide one time grant worth Rs. 50,000 to journalists not affiliated with any political party in Assam. Only those journalists are eligible to apply for the scheme who have published or broadcasted at least three success stories of some government schemes in the last 12 months. The plan, namely One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme, will immediately effect and be an annual affair.
Realizing the pressing needs, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Assam shall provide a one-time grant to 20 journalists @ Rs. 50,000 each every year to effectively engage in their varied performances productively and efficiently. If implemented in the desired manner, the scheme can set a good example in the history of India in the field of journalism.
Purpose of the Scheme
One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme is initiated as a ray of hope for media persons in the current scenario. The procedure tends to assist and support the journalists in their pursuit of outstanding achievements and provide backing to them in the time of need.
One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme- Objectives in Brief
The objectives of the “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme” includes:
- To uphold the dignity and respect of media persons and the field of journalism.
- To inspire & motivate the media persons to excel in journalism.
- To encourage journalists to set an example by becoming unbiased, truthful, and not being a puppet of any particular political party.
- To raise the bar and comply with mandatory norms of journalism.
Constitution and Administration of the Scheme
The “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme” to be constituted under the Information and Public Relations Department of Government of Assam will be administered by a Committee comprising:
I. Senior-most Secretary of IPRD – Chairperson
II. DIPR, Assam – Member Secretary
III. Joint / Deputy Secretary, IPRD – Member
IV. Financial Adviser, IPRD – Member
V. The senior journalist from a Print Media House – Member
VI. A senior journalist from an Electronic Media House- Member
However, Members mentioned in Sl.Nos. V-VI will be nominated by the Govt. of Assam. The term of the Committee will be two years.
Eligibility Criteria of One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme
Eligibility criteria underlined for One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme is as follows:
- The applicant of the scheme must be a permanent resident of the State of Assam.
- The applicant must be an accredited or recognized journalist of Assam.
- The scheme is open to all mainstream media journalists having accredited/recognized cards of DIPR, Assam, including freelancers from Print, Electronic, and News Agencies.
- The minimum age of a journalist should be 40 years. There is no upper limit.
- The applicant must have had at least fifteen years of experience in the field of Journalism.
- Reporters/ journalists in print and electronic media have to submit three research-based news/reporting/features /videos/documentaries. They must have a minimum of 3 ‘success stories’ of Government schemes published/broadcast in their respective media outlet during the last 12 months.
- Photojournalists or video journalists in print and electronic media must submit a minimum of 3 nos. of still photographs or video of precise or extensive coverage of particular subject matters/ happenings during the last 12 months which are useful and beneficial for the people in terms of development, unity, and integrity.
- A permanent/temporary/contractual employee of any Government / Semi-Government /Autonomous Body / Board / Corporation / Council, etc., are not eligible to apply.
- The applicant’s affiliation with any political party is termed as a disqualification.
- The applicant should not have been convicted for any criminal offense or punished by any Court of Law or reprimanded by the Press Council of India for misconduct or violation of ethics of journalism or any other similar reason.
- The annual income of the applicant is required to be less than Rs 5 Lakh. The Income Certificate issued by the concerned Circle Officer be enclosed along with the application.
- An applicant selected once for this assistance will not be eligible to apply again for this assistance.
- Journalist Pension holder is not eligible to apply.
- Canvasing for the grant in any form will disqualify the candidature. Anybody found canvassing in his/her favor shall be debarred from consideration for a grant.
Application Procedure
The process shall be as per the following guidelines:
- The applicant must fill out the prescribed application forms—any incomplete application or application without the requisite components not to be considered.
- The application should timely reach the Office of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Last Gate, Dispur, Guwahati-781006 within the fixed date, published through advertisement.
- Three sets of duly filled-up application forms (Schedule-I) will need to be submitted by each applicant. The envelope should be super-scribed as ‘Application for One Time Grant for Media personality”.
- Failure to enclose any of the below-mentioned documents/items or furnishing of any invalid document may result in rejection of the application.
Mandatory Documents
Role of Aatmnirbhar Sena in One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme
As an Aatmnirbhar Sena, we assist the Assam Government with its stringent strategy to support a “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme.” Through our multiple programs, we will be lending our helping hand to Government and curious applicants with the mission of letting them climb on the ladder of their dreams and accomplishments. Considering the present condition, the Assam Government brought the scheme on board, but their requirement is even more than that. To fulfill the void is the prominent role of our Aatmnirbhar Sena.
Aatmnirbhar Sena is striving to cover major issues after the analysis done by Aatmnirbhar Sena members concerning the plight of Indian Journalism. We would equip the Government with the necessary mechanism and assist them by meeting their day to day requirements. In addition to this, we are projecting to foster journalism to transform media persons’ lives in the long run. We shall assist the applicants with all the necessary steps involved in the application procedure and spread the word of its perks.
Conclusion
This “One Time Grant for Media Personality Scheme” is a light at the end of the tunnel for Assam’s Journalism sector. It has been a major transforming factor that would re-build the broken fragments of the media sector. We hope the scheme would do wonders in leaving its impression with stringent eligibility criteria and appropriate policies.
