Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 2: “Artificial Intelligence will not replace your creativity — it’s here to complement your skills. Embrace change, adapt quickly, and the future will be bright,” said Walter Nandalike, founder and managing director of Daijiworld Media Network Pvt Ltd, delivering the keynote address at the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union’s Press Day celebration held at the Press Club on Wednesday, July 2.
Speaking on the topic "Challenges in Media", Walter Nandalike shared his personal journey, recalling the launch of daijiworld.com in 2001 and the press conference he held in 2003 was at the same venue. “Many journalists supported my venture when internet access was still limited. I can never forget that day,” he said, reflecting on the platform's growth.
He emphasised resilience and optimism in the face of industry challenges. “If you do what you studied, you will survive. But if you do what you didn’t study, you will become a leader,” he told students, urging them to pursue their passions despite obstacles.
Quoting Divya Vikas Keerti’s keynote speech from two years ago in Bengaluru — “To become powerful, choose a government job, politics, or media” — Walter observed, “Media has indeed become powerful, but today, that power often comes with fear. Many powerful voices have turned toothless.”
Citing a Lokniti-CSDS survey of 7,500 respondents across 19 states and diverse age groups, he noted that 63% do not trust television news, while 89% distrust online news. “Newspapers remain the most trusted. Just look at how the national media handled the recent India–Pakistan conflict — it's disheartening to witness the decline in credibility.”
He quoted Gautam Pai of Udayavani during the launch of Daijiworld Udupi: “Newspapers are reliable because they have time till 10 pm to verify news.”
Walter Nandalike also outlined four key challenges facing journalism today: lack of press freedom; the spread of fake news, largely via ‘WhatsApp University’; ownership of media houses by corporates or politicians; and growing mental health concerns, especially among female journalists.
Despite these issues, he advised attendees not to panic. “Anxiety and depression invite illness. Take care of your mental wellness and manage your social media use wisely,” he said.
Touching on journalism education, Walter Nandalike raised concern over declining enrolment in journalism courses, with several institutions shutting down after more than two decades. Yet, he expressed hope: “We’re still teaching outdated syllabi, but students must adapt. Change is inevitable — embrace it.”
Predicting the growing impact of AI, he said, “Within the next year, 50% of copywriting jobs may disappear due to Artificial Intelligence. But AI cannot think like you — it cannot replace your originality or storytelling.”
“Just like computers once created new opportunities, AI will do the same. Work with it, not against it,” he concluded.
Earlier, the event was inaugurated by Umar U H, president of the Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy, who in his address urged journalists to take up the long-pending demand of naming a road after Herman Mogling or erecting his statue at a prominent location in Mangaluru.
On the occasion, newspaper distributor Raghuram K was felicitated for his dedicated service.
Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union president Srinivas Nayak Indaje welcomed the gathering. Senior journalist Vijay Kotian compered the programme, and Jithendra Kundeshwar delivered the vote of thanks.