Justice Markandey Katju at the national council meeting of the All India Small and Medium Newspapers’ Federation in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 18: Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI) Justice Markandey Katju today said the country was passing through a very painful and agonising phase and urged the media to take the leadership in combating unemployment, poverty and social evils such as superstition.

“This phase is likely to continue for another 20 years. Media need to fight social evils and problems such as unemployment and poverty,” Katju told the gathering at the national council meeting of the All India Small and Medium Newspapers’ Federation here.

Katju announced the constitution of a six-member committee to look into the problems being faced by the small and medium newspapers in the state. Bismaya Mohanty, Odisha unit president of the All India Small and Medium Newspapers’ Federation, will head the panel.

The other members of the committee are Amit Kumar Mallick, Ashok Kumar Sahoo, Sudhir Panda, Prafulla Mishra and Sivananda Ray. The committee is empowered to meet, discuss and question officials in the information and public relation department and suggest appropriate measures to improve the condition of small and medium newspapers in the state.

“I direct the Odisha government officials to meet the members of the above committee and have discussions with them before making any changes in advertisement policy or rates,” Katju said.

The PCI chairman said small and medium newspapers accounted for 85 per cent of the total circulation of newspapers in the state. “These newspapers are more intimately in touch with the problems of the common people,” said Katju.

Speaking on the occasion, governor S.C. Jamir said small and medium newspapers served the greater need of the nation. “They understand local sensibilities, and their survival and growth are vital for the society. However, one often finds small and medium newspapers being criticised for ignoring ethical values. But, it would be incorrect to generalise the statement. There are many small and medium newspapers, which were appreciated for reflecting ground realities accurately and presenting the correct picture before the readers,” said Jamir.

The federation submitted a memorandum to the governor, seeking his intervention in the problems being faced by the small and medium newspapers in the state.