Haryana Education Minister, Ram Bilas Sharma said that the main aim of journalism is to keep people conscious of their interests. Journalism becomes meaningful only when linked with social concerns and public interests.

Mr Sharma was speaking as chief guest in the 19th biennial convention of National Union of Journalists (India) organised by Chandigarh Journalist Association, here on Saturday.

He said that meaningful journalism was discharging its duty of taking the welfare schemes and policies of the administration to the lowest strata of the society. He said that in the present scenario, the journalism job was full of challenges. In-spite of this, journalists writing truth of the society needs to be appreciated, he added.

The Minister said that the State Government has introduced number of schemes for the welfare of journalists. A scheme was launched to give pension of Rs 10,000 per month to accredited journalists who are 60 years old or above. Apart from this, the State Government also provide financial help in case a journalist meets with of any accident.

Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of attack on journalists, the Newly Nominated National President of National Union of Journalists (India), Mr. Ashok Malik said that journalists themselves need to be alert about their safety.