Mahesh Bhat inaugurates Vartha Bharathi’s readers’ convention

Mahesh Bhat inaugurates Vartha Bharathi’s readers’ convention

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 15, 2012 : Mahesh Bhat, the renowned film maker and human rights activist, inaugurated the readers’ convention organized by Vartha Bharathi, the Kannada daily, as part of its decennial celebrations, on September 14, Friday and spoke about the responsibilities of the media.

 

 

 

Mr. Bhat said that the media ought to support moderate voices and avoid being the slaves of power centres. Reminding media persons that the media is a watchdog, he cautioned them against converting the media into a lapdog of power holders. Advising the media to sell what is in the interests of the nation, and not what interests the nation, he advised reporters to avoid supporting extremist forces, but support moderate voices.

Jnanpeeth Award winner Prof. U. R. Ananthamurthy expressed his appreciation of the daily. In his address, he criticized Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarath, and said that the public must not allow him to become the prime minister of India. Urging the media not to give so much importance to Modi, he said that, whenever the media gives coverage to Modi, they are transforming him into a hero.

B. M. Basheer, news editor of Vartha Bharathi, delivered the keynote address; and Abdussalam Putthige, editor-in-chief of Vartha Bharathi, delivered the presidential address. Yaseen Malpe, director of Madhyama Communications Ltd. in Mangalore, delivered the welcome address.

The guests of honor were Aga Sultan, former member of AICTE, VTU, and Bangalore University, and Syed Abdul Khader Bashu, managing trustee of Green Valley National School and PU College in Shiroor.

Prof. Ananthamurthy released the special decennial issue of the daily.

A number of regular readers of Vartha Bharathi also spoke on their occasions, sharing their opinions and feedback.