Mangaluru: The 35th conference of state journalists union and DKWJU was  inaugurated at Kudmul Rangarao town hall here on March 7.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan inaugurated the cartoon show exhibition and The distric  incharge Minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari inaugurated the Photo exhibition and exhibition.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the two-day conference, organised by Karnataka Union of Working Journalists Ashwath Narayan said that political news is getting more media focus and that they should strive to highlight other issues plaguing the society and try to rectify them. “Prominence should be accorded to ethics and social values rather than money,” he said.

Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, in his address said, “Journalists should shed light upon the positive aspects and hide the negative aspects in order to build a strong society.”

In the keynote address, Sandhya Pai editor, Taranga weekly magazine said that the print media holds a bleak future considering the reducing number of readers in recent times. “There should be a healthy competition between media houses, even as it struggles for existence in this competitive era. This conference should serve as a platform to unite journalists and address the problems of the media community.”

Padmashri awardee Harekala Hajabba was honoured on the occasion. The “Best District Journalists’ Association award was presented to Dakshina Kannada district working journalists’ association in recognition of their contribution and welfare programmes.

‘Namma Mangaluru – Mangaluru Mahanagara Palikeya Samagra Nota’ (Our Mangaluru – A comprehensive look at Mangaluru City Corporation), a book authored by journalist B Raveendra Shetty was released on the occasion. “Pathrakartha”, a souvenir was also released.

MLAs D Vedavyas Kamath, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, U T Khader, Mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, Deputy Mayor Vedavathi, veteran music director Gurukiran, SCDCC Bank chairman Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, Association district president Srinivas Nayak Indaje and members of the association were present.