|
KARNATAKA GOVERNOR ENDORSES
IFWJ CALL FOR NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION
Shravanabelagola, Feb 23:
Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi on Thursday endorsed the call of Indian
Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) for establishment of a National Media
Commission and a new wage board for working journalists.
Delivering the valedictory address at the 62nd National Convention of Indian
Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), the Governor said the price index and
the cost of living has increased dramatically over the last 10 years and if the
Union Government could revise the salaries of those in the Government sector, it
was imperative that necessary measures were initiated to increase the salaries
of journalists and those others in the media. If journalism was to gain momentum
in the changed times, it was imperative that their dignity was addressed.
This is a matter of social concern as the dignity of a common man will be
preserved only if the dignity of those in the media, who are watchdogs of
democracy, itself is preserved.
Pointing out that managements of some media houses were making huge profits, he
said it was only fair that the fruits of these labour was shared with the
media-persons themselves. The Governor also suggested establishment of a social
security fund with the participation of Government, the industry and the private
sector to safeguard the interests of many journalists, including the many who
are suffering owing to their brand of true journalism not fitting the 'needs' of
the current times.
The Governor endorsing the call for a National Media Commission said there was a
vast chasm between the visual and the print media today and a media commission
is the only body that can bring in the necessary correctives required in the
visual media. "Press represents the principles of life and this has to permeate
the visual media. If media goes astray, children and generation go astray. The
society should not remain mute spectator to the degeneration of the media,
either," he said and added that National Media Commission was also required to
protect the interests of many scribes who have been victimized for their
investigative journalism.
Karnataka Madhyama Academy President V N Subba Rao, also endorsed the IFWJ
demands, said the print media was in danger of diluting its efficacy if the
electronic media did not mature. The visual media's reaction to situation was
knee jerk as it has no time to pause and think, running 24x7 news channels
amidst competition as they are. They have lost a sense of balance and there is a
need for introspection as the media at large itself was facing the danger of
losing its credibility and accountability. News is being trivialized, he added.
Senior Journalist S V Jayasheela Rao reiterated the urgent need for
establishment of the commission to review the functioning of the national media
and suggestion of suitable correctives. Small and medium newspapers have stopped
growing owing to unfair trade practices of some publishing houses, he added.
HH Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji urged all to remain united and
pursue the course of dharma in pursuit of all their professional needs and
goals.
IFWJ President K Vikram Rao, IFWJ Secretary General Paramamanda Pande, KUWJ
President V Venkatesh, KUWJ Hassan President Shivananada Tagadur, MLAs H K
Kumaraswamy, A T Ramaswamy, S M Anand, MMC06 Reception President A R Nirmal
Kumar Sethi, MMC06 Working President A R Nirmal Kumar, MMC06 Publicity Sub
Committee Convener Jithendra Kumar, Hassan Jilla Panchayat President Annappa
Shetty, Hassan Jilla Panchayat CEO F R Jamadar and Hassan SP Panduranga H Rane
were also present.
|
