Kannada media organizations feted

But celebrations at event muted due to declining prominence of small-scale Kannada papers

Karnataka Media Academy inauguration ceremony.

By Rajnandini Ghosh

BANGALORE (Nov. 28)—The Karnataka Media Academy, in collaboration with state government-run art schools on Monday honored Kannada newspaper organizations that have been in business for two decades or more.

The event was held at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in the Central College premises. Dr. D.P. Paremeshwara was one of the main organizers.

Mr. Shankar Prakash, an international anchor and presenter, opened the event and the editors of the various media organizations gave speeches.

The event was held to mark the completion of a three-month course in photojournalism and citizen journalism that was initiated by the state government-run academy for graduates around the state.

The felicitation at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Central College premises.

Small-scale Kannada papers see circulation shrink

Although the event was intended to be a celebration, the journalists present at the occasion had much to grumble about.

Almost all of them said the influence of small-scale Kannada papers is waning as a result of the spread of the big English and Kannada dailies.

Waisi Byadgi of Badida Sidilu, a weekly, blamed the government and the Information Department to be puppets in the hands of the big media houses.

He said that the government is always helping out these big newspaper organizations with tenders, advertisements and funds while the small scale self-run Kannada papers are losing their readership by the day.

Paid news a big concern

Dr. M.G.R. Urs, founder and editor of Vadya Varta, a monthly magazine that has a history of 30 years, said: “The need of the hour is young investigative journalists. Corruption is ruining the media industry.”

State ministers control the Information Department, which drafts policies relating to what kind of help the small papers require. Big newspaper organizations have a say in what these ministers do, which in turn affects the bills passed by the department.

The result is that the small-scale papers suffer. Lack of any financial support from the government has reduced their sales as well as readership.

S.K. Konesagar of Kannada daily Prajavani also said that paid news is a big concern. He claimed that the allegations of a nexus between Vishweswar Bhatt, former Vijaya Karnataka editor, and the Reddy brothers, tied to a mining scam, are “absolutely true.”

Journalists from eminent media houses attending the felicitation.

Happy day for some Kannada journalists

But there were some at the ceremony who did not want to spoil the mood of happiness and celebration.

Dinesh Kini, who has been writing for The Indian Express for the past six years, said the big dailies by no means affect the sale and readership of the small-scale weekly and monthly papers.

H.S. Ranganath, Editor of Bharat Sandesh said it was a “happy day for all Kannada journalists” and such debates should not be entertained.