‘Media now a days is trying to publish what is favourable to the majority, for increased circulation. It encouraged communalism in Gujarat, which is not by any means journalistic ethics,” said Editor of Lankesh Weekly Gauri Lankesh.
Delivering the inaugural address at the two-day workshop on ‘Communalism and Media’ organised by Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum here on Friday, she said that a few years ago Karavali had set an example for communal harmony and prosperity for the whole State, but now, the disturbances here are cause for concern for the whole country.
Indian Express Associate Editor Pamela Philipose who spoke on ‘communalism of public sphere and media,’ said that the recent communal tension in the coastal belt has destroyed the fabric of the State. “Freedom of Expression and Right to Information are two sides of the same coin and goes hand in hand,” she said.
Speaking on the role of media in the Gujarat riots, she said that though the media pitched one community against the other, it brought us stories which enabled us to think over it and that movies like ‘Parzania’ are proof of what we felt.
Mangalore University Chair of Christianity Chairman Fr John Fernandes said that media will achieve its purpose only if it supports the weaker sections of the society. “Every oppressive system has a propaganda wing that manipulates truth to fit their way of thinking thereby establishing power over others,” he said and added that the freedom of expression should be exercised in such a way that it doesn’t encroach on the freedom of others.
 “Secularism and communalism are two words that have been wrongly interpreted in India,” he added.
Mangalore University Department of Mass Communication Head Prof G P Shivaram opined that the younger generation is least bothered about any caste. Stating that the media should be a mirror to the society, he said that information should not be suppressed, but surpassed.
Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum Chief Secretary K L Ashok, district president C N Shetty, Senior Journalist Sanath Kumar Belagali and Karavali Ale Editor B V Seetharam were among the present.