Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

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

The Press Day was formally inaugurated by Chandra Sekhar, police commissioner of Mangaluru by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the gathering, Chandra Sekhar said, "I am happy to be part of this programme. Police and press have a love-hate relationship. At times it is love and at times hate. Press is a very important part of our society. In order for democracy to work and prevail, press plays a vital role. The beauty of democracy is no one can say that he is a dictator or that things should work the way he wants them to.

"Every pillar of democracy has a check on other. In this context, press has a very big role to play in the society. It is always important that someone has checks and balances. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and journalists should not allow this fourth pillar to get rusted. I thank you all on behalf of my department for your support and cooperation," he added.

Prof Josline Lobo, dean of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya delivered a talk on the topic 'Social media, media and society’ and said that social media can break or make relationships.

"Definition of digital media is increasing over the years. We have been shifting from traditional media to digital media for some years. Youngsters are leaning towards social media, TV and other forms of virtual media which is increasing restlessness among the younger generation.

"Social networking media are often being used for wrong ends. So this creates a question of credibility of the information. We are living in a virtual world. Maintaining safe distance from wrong means and ascertaining the credibility is very important," he added.

Manohar Prasad, Udayavani Mangaluru bureau chief, advised journalists to write more on issues pertaining to society. "There should be social concern in articles written which would create awareness and restore traditional values and culture," he opined.

Prior to the programme, a photo exhibition by city's top photojournalists including daijiworld's Dayanand Kukkaje was jointly inaugurated by the police commissioner and dignitaries namely district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, Mangaluru south MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ganesh Karnik. The exhibited photos were viewed by many.

Jagannatha Shetty Bala, president of Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union, Srinivas Nayak, general secretary and others were present.

Working Journalists’ Association Udupi observes ‘Press Day’

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 2: 'Press Day’ was celebrated at IMA auditorium, Brahmagiri on Friday July 1, was organized by the district Working Journalists’ Association Udupi.

Rohini, district information department officer in her inaugural address said, ‘India is a unique nation. Some people say jokingly ’Unpredictable India and unpredictable things’. ‘TV and print Media are losing importance in other parts of the world, but not in India. There is lot of opportunities available for budding reporters.'

"We being in an information era, need to update our knowledge by study. News should accurate and specific. The perception of news is also important."

U K Kumarnath from 'Vijayakarnataka’ in his lecture said “Many things have changed in journalism in the past just 15 years’. ‘Press day’ observation began in 1920. Nowadays, journalists have no security to their profession as well as their life. Thousands of journalists have been killed since past years. The life of journalists, who are living in boundary, is in threat. Nearly 26 journalists have been killed so far in the current year."

"Now the survival of news paper is a big challenge, due to competition with electronic media. Cyber law which controls the social media is another challenge."

Jayakar Suvarna presided over the programme.

News paper distributor Y R Srinivas Rao and senior journalist S Nityananda Padre were felicitated on the occasion.

Scholarships were distributed for high scorers in SSLC, PUC and Journalism.

Ganesh Prasad Pandelu, chief secretary, welcomed gathering.

Rajesh Shetty, treasurer, Chethan Padubidri, convenor and others present.