Bhubaneswar: Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari lauded The Times of India’s new Citizen Reporter platform on Saturday, terming it “an innovative tool that will democratise journalism and enhance civic participation“.
Speaking at the platform’s launch ceremony here, Pujari announced his intention to personally use the platform to highlight various issues. “The initiative marks a significant milestone in democratising journalism and empowering our citizens to become active participants in the news ecosystem,” he said.
He emphasised how the digital age has transformed every smartphone user into a potential journalist. The platform accepts multiple formats, including text, images and videos, making it accessible to all users.
“By enabling citizens to report local issues — from infrastructure concerns to community achievements — we are creating a more inclusive and responsive system of governance,” Pujari said, adding that the platform would serve as a crucial bridge between citizens and authorities, making sure that local voices are heard.
While praising TOI’s “forward-thinking approach”, he encouraged citizens to use the platform responsibly to highlight important issues and showcase community achievements.
“This technological innovation will help capture the pulse of our communities in real-time, leading to more effective and timely responses to civic issues,” Pujari said.
He added, “The platform has the potential to compete with professional journalism in the long run, marking a fundamental shift in how news is gathered, reported and consumed.”
He expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen the foundation of responsible citizenship and transparent governance in Odisha.