Politicians-journalists bond harming journalism'

Mangalore, June 30: Even though the phenomenon of paid news and corruption scrolled into the field of media several years ago, the growing bond between politicians and journalists in recent years has resulted in the disappearance of honesty in the journalism, lamented senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu.

He was presenting his views on media and corruption at a seminar and interaction programme organized by city based 'Journalists Study Centre' here on Thursday to mark Kannada Press Day.

Mr Mattu pointed out that the journalism, which was once a medium of freedom struggle and social change in India, has turned into a pure 'industry' losing all its commitments, with the advent of economic liberalisation in 1990s. “When journalism got reduced to be a mere industry, 'social responsibility' became the victim,” he added.

He said although the concept of 'paid news', suddenly emerged as a topic of argument a couple of years ago, its existence had already changed the course of many major English newspapers, especially financial newspapers in the country almost two decades ago.

“Owing to the 'paid news' and 'advertisements' the English language newspapers were far ahead in profit compared to Kannada and other regional language newspapers, despite they being ahead in circulation. In this backdrop, the regional language newspapers began to concentrate towards their influential fields and finally landed in politics,” Mr Mattu said adding that a considerable number of regional language newspapers and televisions in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are in the hands of politicians belonging to various parties.

Recalling the enmity between former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr Mattu said, once presspersons had considered that politicians were their biggest enemies, but quite opposite to this belief, now both have become close friends.

Awakened Society

Mr Mattu also said that despite the fact that media has played a crucial role in social and political change in the past, it can influence only an awakened society. “When the general people themselves become corrupt, media cannot create any miracle,” he said.

“What can the media do, when people dare to re-elect corrupt politicians again and again despite knowing their scandals?” he questioned, pointing fingers at members of Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Recalling the quarter-century old socio-political scenario of Karnataka, Mr Mattu said in 1984 Lok Sabha polls Congress party had bagged 24 seats MP seats in Karnataka giving a crushing blow to the then Janata Government led by Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde. However in the Assembly polls held mere two months after the Lok Sabha poll, the Congress had faced a crucial defeat against Hegde's Party. “But, now we cannot expect such a sudden change in the attitude of voters within a gap of two moths,” he said.

Speaking on 'Media and Moral Values', Manipal Institution of Communication Director Varadesh Hiregange, urged the newsmen not to forget the doctrine of journalism, i.e., to be the voice of voiceless.

He also exhorted the reporters to take the victim's position while reporting and never lack sympathy towards poor.

NREG Ombudsman Sheena Shetty spoke on 'local issue and media'. Senior theater personality Basavalingaiah presided over the programme.

The seminar followed by the interaction session. Over a hundred activists, journalists and journalism students took part in the programme.