Former Karnataka CM M Veerappa Moily
Credit: DH Photo/B K Janardhan
Bengaluru: The press will always survive because society and democracy has to survive, said former chief minister Veerappa Moily at an event commemorating National Press Day.
Speaking at an symposium on the changing landscape of print media and the press organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, Department of Information and Public Relations on Saturday, he quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying, "The sole aim of journalism should be service."
"Free press played a major part in building the Republic of India. Therefore, press cannot be outdated, it cannot be destroyed, and it can never die by suicide. It should survive in any form, because society and democracy have to survive. Electronic and print media are the most powerful tools in shaping the perception of individuals and nations about every national and international issue," he said.
He highlighted the crucial role the media plays in preventing, monitoring and controlling corruption. "Investigative reporting by the media or reporting of instances of corruption as they occur can be a significant source of information of corruption."
Senior professor of Azim Premji University Dr A Narayana, who spoke at length about print media, noted that while print media has seen many eras, some of which are less than desirable, they need to continue and will do so as they are more comprehensive than television and the internet could ever be.
"We have not yet seen the birth of an alternative to newspapers," he said. However, he noted that over time, newspapers and print media have transformed to becoming more important to politics and political players to spread their message over any other section of society.
Ayesha Khanum, chairman of the Academy, urged journalists to "reclaim journalism". "How many of us are willing to stand by our colleagues when press freedom is threatened? History will term us cowards and co-conspirators in the murder of democracy if we do not speak up today."