Mangalore: National Seminar on ‘Media Ethics and Practices’ opens at Besant College

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 13, 2012: Eminent writer, playwright and columnist Shreekumar Varma  said corporate bodies and organizations have been influencing journalism  as much of the revenue of a media house comes not from circulation, but from advertisement.

He was delivering the key note address  at a two day national seminar on  ‘Media Ethics and Practices’ organised by the Department of Journalism at Besant Women’s College in association with the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Mangalore University. The function was held at the Besant College Auditorium.

 

Continuing, he said only 3 per cent of revenue of newspapers comes from circulation. He said media began losing independence in the recent times merely for financial and investment reasons. However, media was at its strongest when it brought awareness among the people about corruption in recent times, he said while referring to the crusade against corruption launched by Anna Hazare some time back.

The inaugural address of the seminar was delivered by the Oscar  award winning film sound designer Dr Resul  Pookutty. However, he did not attend the function, but a pre-recorded video clipping of his inaugural address, was presented before the audience.

In his address, he said news has become  a huge business and journalists  had to create news if it was not available, “ News has become a commodity,” he said adding small issues are blown out of proportions.

Dr Manjula KT, Principal of Besant Women’s College,  Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy, President of Women’s National Education Society (WNES), Mangalore,Dr Waheeda Sultana,  Chairman of  Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and Dr GP Shivaram, also spoke on the occasion.