By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: An upcoming news channel, Swapna TV, has released its signature logo here on Tuesday.Unveiling the logo, speakers expressed their concern over the current state of media and said mediapersons need to be more authentic, scientific, positive and rational in this fastchanging media scenario where journalistic ethics take a backseat.
In a video message, eminent litterateur and senior journalist Satakadi Hota said just like the love for democracy, there was love and respect for the freedom of media too in our country. Unfortunately, there were complaints about media invading the privacy of ordinary persons. If media grows too big for their boots, the people of India will protest. If the media loses the support of the people, freedom will be curbed, he said.
Former Joint Director of Information and Public Relations department Bibekananda Biswal pointed out that in the age of globalisation, it was unfortunate that media was being increasingly governed by market forces. The media need to address serious issues for eradicating social and political evils to bring transparency in administration, he added.
Biswal said arm-twisting in media is a common trend to change story peg in news in the favour of those in power. While TV news has become noise and mere theatrics, news channels have turned into infotainment mediums. Prime time news turned into a circus, he added.
Speaking at the event, Chief Editor of the channel Swapna Nayak announced to implement constructive or positive journalism as part of their everyday method and framework. While negative journalism hinders human development, positive journalism will always thrive. “There is too much negative journalism these days. In the backdrop of this, we have to promote positive news media reporting. Mediapersons in the present scenario must be committed to report and promote ‘good and healthy journalism’ that will instil hope and inspire people,” she said.
“What news media today needs is ‘passionate news reporters’ who have the guts to fish out stories of ordinary human beings who make their livelihoods in spite of disadvantaged situations,” said Madhusudan Nayak, CEO of Auro Fin Corporation.
Managing Director of Auroshree Group of Companies Santosh Kumar stressed the need for media to highlight people who are ordinary and who may not seem to matter much in the eyes of rich and powerful. He pledged to promote positive and responsible journalism in the State.
