Mangalore: Senior journalist Shashidhar Bhat questioned whether the media would have gone overboard in portraying Nityanand issue had he been a Lingayat, Okkaliga or a Brahmin swami.

Speaking at a function organized by the Journalists Study Centre in Mangalore to mark Kannada Press Day on June 30, Saturday, he pointed out how Lingayat seers even supported former CM Yeddyurappa when he landed behind bars some even meeting him.

He said journalism started in India more as a movement than an industry with an intention of fighting for the cause of the nation’s freedom struggle and to highlight  social issues. He was critical of the TV media which was focusing more on sensational news rather than burning issues.

Asha Nayak, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), also spoke on the occasion.