Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jul 16: With an aim to enhance ethics in journalism as well as guide those interested to understand journalism and basics of reporting, Sandesha Foundation inaugurated a short-term journalism course at its campus in Bajjodi on Monday, July 16.
The 20-day course is being conducted by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education (R) in association with Canara Communications Centre and Daijiworld Weekly.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop and Administrator of Mangaluru Diocese, inaugurated the course along with Ravindra Shetty, Chief Copy Editor of Vijaya Karnataka (Mangaluru Bureau) and Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyasa Kamath.
“We call media as the fourth pillar of our democracy. It helps to maintain transparency between judiciary, executive and legislature. We cannot neglect the media’s role in strengthening our democratic structure. But today we are analyzing the news on its speed and exclusiveness. For this, sometimes media houses are compelled to give fabricated news. Today media sector has become a commercial industry and the owners of media houses are calculating their profit and loss,” said Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza.
“Mileage is important for media today so they are mostly trying to pick controversy oriented news. With this, there are chances to hide the truth and glorify injustice. So the students of journalism should try to stand with justice and truth. Siding justice only makes you true journalist. I appreciate Sandesha, Canara Communication and Daijiworld for starting a meaningful course,” he added.
“Somewhere today's media has forgotten ethics except for a few exceptions. Highlighting the negative things has become a new trend in media. This is causing a huge damage to society. In the case of Mangaluru, this damage is evident. Because of highlighting the negative things our city’s name has been damaged internationally. In a day, thousands of good things are happening in our district, but when it comes to news only hatred and anti social activities are highlighted. This has created a negative impression of Mangaluru at a universal level. The investors, tourists are rejecting our district from their plans. So my kind request to aspiring journalists is to spread positive news and peace oriented incidents,” said MLA Vedavyas Kamath.
Delivering the key note address Ravindra Shetty said, “In the earlier days, media was used to spread news. In India, it was used to expose failures of the administration. When it came to Kannada language journalism, Mangaluru was the birth place. The missionaries of Basel Mission published first Kannada weekly called Mangaluru Samachara from Mangaluru. After independence, media slowly changed its nature and commercial interest became important. Media houses started tabulating its profit and loss. But still, few media houses are there in our society which always stand for people and highlight their voices. There are some rules and regulations which every journalist has to follow. The upcoming 20 days will provide you more information about it.”
Fr Nelson D Almeida, Director Sandesha Foundation welcomed the dignitaries and students. Walter Nandalike, Founder of Daijiworld Media Group, rendered the vote of thanks. Fr Anil Fernandes compared the event.
Roy Castelino, Trustee of Sandesha Foundation and Fr Richard D’Souza, Director of Canara Communications Centre were among the dignitaries present.