2 day seminar on Right to Information and Media
24 Feb, 2013Under the aegis of Karnataka Media Academy, the Information Commissioner at the State Information Commission (SIC) Mr. J.S. Virupakshaiah inaugurated the State level seminar at Rani Bahadur Auditorium of B.N. Bahaddur Institute of Management Sciences in Manasagangotri. The Karnataka Media Academy hosted this two-day seminar on ‘Right to Information (RTI) and Media,’ as a part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. It is being organised in association with the Department of Information and Mysore District Journalists Association (MDJA). The Academy Chairman M.A. Ponnappa, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, Karnataka High Court Judge H.N. Nagamohana Das, MDJA Gen. Secretary K. Deepak, Academy member Amshi Prasannakumar, MDJA Vice-President Pragathi Gopalakrishna, MDJA President C.K. Mahendra were amongst the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Justice H.N. Nagamohana Das, Karnataka High Court Judge said following globalisation the service sectors have become commercial and turned into profit-making institutions. “The media, in its lookout for increasing circulation, began highlighting sex and crime related news. The Fourth and Fifth Estates, that is the print and electronic media, are now ignoring issues like poverty alleviation, farmers’ woes, moral values etc., and is focusing more on fashion, films and cricket.”
He asked the media not to indulge in character assassination as one’s reputation is built after lot of sacrifice and discipline. “Always bear in mind the repercussions before attacking the character of a person.” He urged the media not to mislead the society through irresponsible reporting and said “Freedom of the Press is not a licence - it is a responsibility.”