Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur urged media organisations to exercise greater caution in avoiding the spread of misinformation under the guise of breaking news. Attending the fifth Odisha  Journalism Award 2023 in New Delhi on 22nd July 2023, Mr Thakur stressed that journalists play a very crucial role in promptly and accurately disseminating information to the masses. He added, fake and paid news is spreading like a termite in the country, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it might have killed more people than the virus itself. The minister highlighted that misinformation has led to fear psychosis, particularly in remote areas, contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the event is a way to felicitate the journalists who are connected to their roots. He said, they not only represent the voice of the marginalised sections of society but also make the Government aware of it.

The event felicitated six scribes for their influential work across the state of Odisha and its communities. The event also introduced a new category of award Pratibha Pattnaik Journalism Award of Excellence and conferred upon senior journalist Sarada Lahangir for this year.