'Journalism effective tool to bring changes'

He was speaking at the state-level interaction programme on journalism organised by late M Venkatakrishnaiah (Thathayya) Vichara Vedike and Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions here on Sunday.

Observing that journalism is a part of democracy, he said stress should be on fact-based reporting and in the interest of the society. At the same time, it should work within the confines of the constitution, he added.

Freedom for press has improved considerably after independence. A tremendous struggle has been taken out during the earlier days to protect the interest of journalists, he added.

However, he bemoaned that a few owners were against the implementation of wage board recommendations for journalists.

Advocate L Venkatakrishna, journalist Ravindra Bhat and industrialist R Guru were present.

Valedictory

Writer S L Bhyrappa said money wasn’t important to be involved in social service. Late Thathayya showed us that social service can be done even without money.

Inaugurating a website (www.mysorethathayya) dedicated to Tataiah, Bhyrappa said multinational companies have sufficient funds. But it is not important to have huge funds for social service. Thathayya is renowned because of his selfless work. He showed what a person with even limited resources can do to the society. He built an orphanage and several educational institutions.

Law minister S Suresh Kumar, journalist G Ramakrishna, retired additional secretary C V Gopinath and others were present.