*PRESS RELEASE* * *
* * * * *Parrikar govt resorting to “paid news” to fool Goans: LOGG* * * * * *Tuesday, March 26, 2013; Panjim, Goa: *The Manohar Parrikar-led BJP government in Goa is resorting to “paid news” – through both official and unofficial channels to fool Goans and feed them with positive and make-believe information, particularly on the tourism sector which is the backbone of the Goan economy, LOGG or *Lack of Good Governance in Goa* has claimed. LOGG is a newly-formed forum of individual professionals and RTI activists in Goa whose aim and objectives are to ensure that the right information reaches the people of Goa. Michelle Godinho, RTI activist and spokesperson for LOGG, Goa said, “LOGG’s main concern is to ensure that correct information is fed to the public, most of whom are ignorant in the ways and working of the press and media. Most people in Goa are unaware of the new trend of “paid news” which is an anathema to democracy because it paralyzes the independent media and sabotages the very institution of the Fourth Pillar of Democracy – the Press. Elaborating further, Godinho said, ”The Parrikar government has appointed a lobbying firm to disseminate information to the media at a cost of approximately Rs Ten Lakh per month. Firstly, this is too exorbitant an amount for the cash-strapped State and is more than double of what needs to be paid. Secondly, while LOGG is not against the appointment of a PR agency, the PR agency should focus on creating a positive image for Goa in the international media or market so that Goa attracts tourists from all over the world. Instead, the well-oiled lobbying firm is being misused to circulate fake or incorrect stories in the local media in Goa so that Goans who read the papers will get a false sense of well-being.” Michael Menezes, general secretary of LOGG said, “During the carnival in February, the Goa Tourism department circulated a news story claiming that about ten lakh tourists were expected to attend the carnival with about two lakh new tourists coming to Goa on each day of the carnival. What we really got were not more than 1.5 lakh tourists in all which is only 15 per cent of the crowd that the Goa tourism department claimed or expected. Goans and locals lining the roads to watch the carnival parade or festivities cannot be considered as tourists and should not be counted at all. After the carnival got over, the lobbying firm released and got published articles quoting “friendly parties” talking about the grand success of the carnival. Now, the Tourism department has floated a story claiming that one lakh new tourists are expected to attend the Shigmo Festival. Ten days later some “friendly association’s” director or president will comment on how the Shigmo Festival was a great success in terms of tourism development. The point is where is the money? Almost Rs 5 crore was spent in total on the carnival. The State is spending a huge amount on the Shigmo Festival to attract tourists. Over Rs 20 crore has been spent to attract tourists in the last 12 months, but where are results? As the government has no concrete results to show for its spend, it puts out another “paid news item” alleging that the spending power of Goans has gone down due to the halt in mining activities and hence consumer spending has gone down or talks about Bus Tourists who do not spend or splurge in Goa earning no revenue for the state." "The government is only making excuses for its failure, while continuing to spend huge amounts of money on useless expenditure for so-called consultants and experts who live in air-conditioned comfort, travel in SUVs and do not venture beyond the walls of their 5-star accommodation provided at the cost of the poor Goan. Or is the money being “diverted” elsewhere,” Menezes asked? * * * * *For more information contact:* *LOGG Goa* *Email: [email protected]*
