Mangalore: The Journalists Study Centre organized a seminar on ‘Media and Corruption’ as part of Press Day at Sahodaya at Balmatta on June 30, Thursday.
Participating as the resource persons on the occasion, Dinesh Amin Mattu, assistant Editor at Prajavani said that the corruption in the field of journalism is not directly related to the reporters and the editor, but will have direct contact with the owner of the media.
He also said that earlier there was a rumour about paid news by the media, in which the media used to take the money from the advertisers and present their ads in the form of news. This was taking place as directed by the owner of the media.
The media persons are the one to disseminate information and knowledge to the people and public must not preach the media, hence they must be aware of their media ethics, he added.
Mattu said that today in the state, except two to three channels, rest all are managed and owned by the politicians of different parties. Hence they are the one who decide the worthiness of the news and telecast it. In near future, they will be the politicians, businessmen and media too.
Another resource person, Director of Manipal Institute of Communication Varadesh Hiregange said that earlier there were very less colleges giving media education, but now there is large number of
colleges which offers journalism courses.
Sheena Shetty, social Ombudsman for Dakshin Kannada district said that compared to the media of other districts, the media and the representatives has worked as a social worker in many issues like sanitation facilities to poor, plastic ban, child labour and other.
Presiding over the event, Dramatist cum writer Basavalingaiah said the politicians and local leaders re so very addicted to the camera lens that they automatically come in front of camera and ready to talk on any matter on the spot. Even though theater is a medium, it does not
need lot of audience, he said.
The channels are also playing a number of tricks to be on the top position and gain publicity. Anna Hazare is not fighting against corruption recently, but his struggle is taking from past 30 years and nothing has changed. Hence the revolution to fight against corruption
must be started by the youths, he said.
After the seminar, Pushparaj Shetty of Vartha Bharathi conducted the debate on the matter. Large number of social workers, lawyers, rationalists and students from various college participated in the seminar.