Reported by Deccanherald.com on 2 July 2012
Make use of RTI, says scribe at Press Day

Senior journalist Asha Krishnaswamy called upon the journos to go for self retrospection as credibility of media has gone down these days.

Speaking after inaugurating the press day celebrations organised by Udupi District Working Journalists Association, Asha said that journalists should have social responsibility. Sarcastically, negative news has become real news. Newspapers give more space for failure stories.

Most of the time, the reports that appear in newspapers contain only officials’ version and not of the sufferer. Stories lose the human touch, she rued.

Stating that journalism has become highly technology driven, she said that journalists should keep pace with technology. Journalists should not maintain proximity with politicians, officials and celebrities. “If that happens, we will loose the freedom to write against them which is similar to surrendering oneself,” she said.

There is no need to please anyone to get authentic information. She urged reporters to make maximum use of RTI. “We get credible information through RTI. If reports end on allegations, a reader may be confused,” she added.

Stating that print media journalists have the responsibility of going beyond the news, Asha said print gives third dimension to the news unlike electronic media.

“TV journalists have limitations. Print has not lost its credibility and there are opportunities in print media. We can give food for thought by giving analytical reports”. She also said journalism is getting integrated adding that students should be given the idea regarding the requirements of the industry.

Earlier, she inaugurated the press day celebrations by unveiling the photocopy of the first issue of Mangaloora Samachara. Senior journalist Madhava Acharya was felicitated on the occasion.