Be responsible, Lokayukta tells media persons

Media is a powerful weapon against all kinds of malpractices which is present in constitutional practices. It is recognised as a fourth estate but whenever any institution becomes powerful, politicians try to get into it, said Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde.

Speaking after inaugurating “Media Manthan,” a two-day national-level seminar organised by St Aloysius College Department of Mass communication in association with Deccan Herald and Prajavani, he said the year 2010 can be called as the “year of scams” and similarly can be called as the media’s worst year in history. Media has been accused into succumbing in corrupt practices, regretted the Lokayukta and advised media professionals to be more responsible.

The Lokayukta also appreciated the media for keeping its check on the democracy and called it bold as it has courage to open secrets within its fraternity which is seen in the Nira Radia tape scam.

Media plays an important role in the formulation of opinions but sometimes media manipulates the society, said St Aloysius College Principal Rev Fr Swebert D’Silva presiding over the function. “There is a need for a just society and it should be enabled by fairness,” he added.“The seminar aims not just in extolling the power of media and the scope for students, but also examining how this power of the media is exercised,” said Mass Communication HoD Rev Dr Richard Rego.

The two-day seminar has four sessions. Justice N Santosh Hegde, BBC former producer Adam Clapham and Kuvempu University Professor Poornananda were the panelists for the first session “Media, politics and manipulations”. “Media and whistle blowing,” “Media and activism” and “Media and influences” are the topics for other sessions.