It seems to be a good time to be a journalist in Assam. Congress government is offering journalists free computers. According to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi the offer was meant to recognize the “contribution” journalists make to society. According to Debo Bora, the press adviser to the state's chief minister nearly 600 journalists have signed up to receive the free laptops. Media Watch is surprised that Assam has 600 journalists with more than 10 years of experience!
Saving grace is some reporters rejected the Assam state government's offer. Nava Thakuriya, secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, criticized the plan, calling it "cheap politics."
It may be a minor detail that the timing of the offer is highly questionable, coming just a few weeks before the polls.
The sorry state of Indian Media can be gauged from the fact, this news was reported in The Canadian Press. But not in Indian Mainstream media!
The story first appeared in Indian Express, page 1.
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