New Delhi: Digital media has become an effective platform for the government to communicate to a wide audience, said I&B Minister, Arun Jaitley. Jaitley chaired a meeting of Consultative Committee of Information and Broadcasting Ministry to discuss the issue of 'Harnessing role of Social Media', which was also attended by Minister of State for I&B, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
"The digital mode had become an effective medium to communicate to the wide audience while at the same time it offered opportunities to innovate," Jaitley said. Referring to 'Talkathon' initiative, Jaitley said it offered an opportunity to integrate communication across platforms as well as a direct interface with the audience. 'Talkathon' is a combination of social media platforms where questions are asked from an eminent person on Twitter or Facebook while answers are provided live on Youtube.
Commenting on the recently launched Doordarshan App, Jaitley said it has provided an opportunity to address the needs of the audience, which followed the dissemination of information on the digital mode. He also said that efforts would be made to popularise the digital mode of the 100 volumes of Mahatma Gandhi compiled by Directorate of Publication Division on the social media platforms of the ministry.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, I&B secretary gave a presentation to give an overview of the steps and initiatives undertaken in harnessing the potential of social media for disseminating information of important government initiatives. Members of the committee also gave suggestions to enhance the reach of the government's coverage through AIR and Doordarshan, especially in areas that required dissemination.
"It was emphasised that efforts needed to be taken to promote the reach of social media to those segments which at times suffered due to lack of technological access. "It was also suggested that measures need to be taken to facilitate information flow to the young target audience and institutions in rural areas," an official statement said. Members also suggested that content needed to be tailored consistently to address the information needs of the people.
