Mangalore: Need for Honesty, Concern for Society in Journalism Stressed
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Jun 30: "Be it any profession, one should work honestly to earn his living. One should not opt to work in media with the sole purpose of earning big money," said senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu.
He was speaking during the seminar on ‘Media and Corruption’ and interaction with media persons at Sahodaya auditorium here on Thursday June 30 as part of the ‘Journalism Day’ celebration organized by the taluk Working Journalists Study Centre.
"At a time when the media has become an industry, a journalist has to discharge his or her responsibilities amidst pressures from employers and colleagues. Although the media has become an enterprise, it’s easy to expect social concern from them and this has become rare in the media of today. When media was perceived as a right for expression; it became a medium for societal reform. It’s ironic that media has become commercialized after the Indian economy was liberalized in 1990," added Mattu.
"The menace of paid news in media and close proximity of politicians with media does not let media to work on its time tested objective - freedom of expression," he said.
Enlightened society can support media
"An enlightened society can ensure that the media will function freely. It’s an irony that the voters elect people’s representatives who were lured during Operation Lotus in the by-poll. In this prevailing situation, it’s impossible for the media to function impartially," Mattu said.
Media aspirants lured by corporate sector
"Now, there are few takers who opt for studies in mass communication chiefly owing to plum jobs in the corporate sector," said MIC director Varadesh Hiregange while speaking on the topic ‘Media and Moral Values’.
Only a few students join journalism courses in colleges because a journalist’s job requires him to work outdoors at odd times and exposes him to dangers for very little pay. It’s owing to these factors that not many students are interested in pursuing journalism and instead take a keen interest in the corporate sector," added Hiregange.
"The report about two individuals who were caught in illegally transporting cows being paraded naked in Udupi was carried by a daily with pictures and made national news. It’s the journalist’s instinct to develop a report which carries moral significance," he elaborated.
Media can change the mindset of people
"Despite the Lokayukta releasing a list of hundreds of corrupt officials and politicians, none of them were imprisoned. The impact of protest that is staged in 1970 has no impact today. It’s attributed to the people’s mindset and lack of general awareness. The media plays a vital role in changing the mindset of the people," said poet and veteran dramatist Basavalingayya while speaking on the topic ‘Media and Pro-people Protests’.
Sheena Shetty of NREG Ombudsman, while speaking on local issues and media, said that the media plays a key role in addressing local issues. "The media that addresses local issues wakes up the local administration from their slumber and causes them to act in this regard. It also gives moral support to the protests," added Shetty.
Journalism students and others also participated in the interactive meet held later.
The district information and broadcasting officer Rohini K and office-bearers of various social welfare and voluntary organizations, intellectuals, journalism students, and working journalists, participated in the programme.
Praveen Padigar welcomed the gathering. Taranath Kapikad delivered the introductory address. Safia Naeem compered the programme while Sukesh Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.