Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/GA)
Mangalore, May 4: It is now the time for eminent journalists from across the country to discuss‘Media and Communalism.” Ever since the city has become synonymous with communal violence, various organizations have held such workshops, seminars and symposiums to deliberate and come out with some measures to curb this.
But if the for the first time that media community is exclusively getting together to discuss communalism. The workshop to be attended by eminent journalists would be held on Friday May 18 and Saturday May 19. The workshop has been organized by Komu Souharda Vedike (Forum for Communal Harmony).
This was announced in a press conference held here by K L Ashok, general secretary of Central Committee on Friday May 4.
He said the fighting against communalism is the need of the hour. Even though Indian constitution is committed to secular and socialistic values, communalism is growing at a rapid pace. In the coastal belt of the state, distrust and hatred between different communities is increasing day by day. Hence, the media has to play a vital role in mitigating the resentment. Accordingly this workshop has been arranged, he said.
On Friday May 18, R Purnima, editor of Udayavani, Bangalore will inaugurate the workshop. Senior journalist Sanatkumar Belagali would preside over the function. Pro P B Koya, editor of Tejas daily of Calicut and Fr John Fernandes, professor and head of Mangalore University Chair in Christianity will be the chief guests of the occasion.
Eminent journalists like Syed Naqvi, Samiullah, Bhanutej, Shanker Shan Singh Takur, Abdussalam Puttige, B M Hanif, media researcher Lawrence Ayang, Deepu of Pedestrian Pictures, B V Seetaram of Chitra Publications will be the resource persons of the workshop.
On Saturday May 19, a national-level seminar will be held in which celebrity author Arundhati Roy, retired chief justice Rajinder Sachar, Prafulla Khidvayi and Gowri Lankesh will be the guests of honour, Ashok informed.
Suresh Bhat, Umar U H, P V Mohan and C N Shetty were present at the press conference.