Media exceeded its limits while portraying Nityananda issue'

Mangalore, June 30: The media in general went overboard in portraying the Nityananda Swami issue said Shashidhar Bhat, senior journalist.

He was speaking at a programme organized by the Journalists' Study Centre, Mangalore, as part of the Kannada Press Day celebrations on Saturday.

Stating that a majority of media did not speak about Lingayat Swamijis standing in support of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and some of them even meeting him when he was put behind bars, Mr. Bhat said that it was wrong on media's part to single out and target Nityananda Swami alone.

“The question is whether morality is important for media or power and caste permutations. Would media have been equally severe on a Swamiji like Nityananda if he were to have a Brahmin, Lingayat or a Vokkaliga background? Is media targeting Nityananda just because he does not enjoy the caste support that other Swamis enjoy in the state?” Mr. Bhat questioned.

Stating that most media today possess what he termed 'arrogance of letters', Mr. Bhat said that media do not have the authority to dictate the judiciary and the executive as to what needs to be done, as was evident in the Nityananda case.

Social commitment needed

Recalling that journalism in India did not begin as an industry and was rather a movement addressing the country's freedom struggle and social problems, Mr. Bhat lamented that today's media are being run on profit and loss parameters as it has turned into an industry.

Most TV channels today are giving much of their broadcast time to sensational issues such as the change in leadership issue and turmoil within the BJP, Mr. Bhat said. Vital issues such as lack of rain and people suffering from drought in various parts of the state are not being given the necessary attention, he observed.

Urging the journalism student community present at the gathering to develop a sense of social responsibility from within, Mr. Bhat said that journalism in the true sense is beyond interviewing VIPs and presenting the glam world to the masses. “If you are thinking of turning the fourth estate into a real estate business, please do not venture into journalism”, he said.

Asha Nayak, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), in her address, appealed to the media to maintain privacy of children while reporting cases of injustice and abuse.

Although the intent to highlight the problems of children may be good, the media must ensure that their privacy is maintained and should not look to sensationalise the issues, she said. Action against media houses could be taken under law, in case a child's identity is revealed in the media, she informed. Constant questioning and media attention can cause irritation to children and eave an impact on their minds, she said.

It also opens up avenues for organised crime gangs who look to use children for begging and human trafficking when identities of deserted children are revealed in the media, she added.

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