Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jul 1: Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union and Mangaluru Press Club on Wednesday July 1 celebrated Kannada Press Day at Patrika Bhavan here on Wednesday July 1.

The Press Club Day was formally inaugurated by Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva's Education Foundation by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Mohan Alva said, "Today is an important day for each one of us, as media plays a vital role in the social and personal life of every individual. There is trust and regard towards media, and people make time for reading or watching news.

"In recent times we see hype in every field, because of which we feel we are prospering and doing really well. But the reality is we are facing difficult times, be it in education field or business. Even media is facing this problem. There are many papers and news channels. A newspaper may cost Rs 10 to Rs 23 for printing, but it is sold at Rs 3. There is so much difference between manufacturing price and selling price, so we can easily call it is a loss. But no organization can survive long with losses. Hence, this loss is covered by advertisements. Today the question is whether newspapers should be in favour of advertisers who save them from difficulties or the readers who pay less but on whom the circulation depends," he said.

"Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and journalists should not allow this fourth pillar to get rusted. They should always tell the truth to the people. There is a difference between telling the truth and creating the truth. Creating 'the truth' is really sad and it should not happen," Dr Alva said.

N Gururaj, former editor of Udayavani Kannada daily said, "When media turned into a business it started protecting vested interests. We cannot say that newspapers or media are not working for the betterment of society. But it is more into protecting vested interests. When more and more newspapers came into existence competition started to increase. Media advertises products which are hazardous to health though disclaimer is added that they are advertised because of the revenue they fetch. Earlier there was competition to enter into the editorial of a newspaper but today there is no such zeal. Every minute there are different issues, every hour different discussions, talking what they want to talk, showing what they want to show. This is affecting the current print and electronic media. the truth should be told to people."

Manohar Prasad, Udayavani Mangaluru bureau chief gave his advise to newcomers in the field of journalism on how they should use language, the kind of words to be used and how even small mistakes in translation can change the whole meaning. He too spoke on whether media should be in favour of advertisers or readers.

Umesh Yakar, a newspaper collector was felicitated on the occasion and there was an exhibition of his collection dating back to around 50 years.

Senior journalist Jagannath Shetty Bala, president of Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union welcomed the gathering. DKDWJU president P B Harish Rai among others were present.