Politicians-journalists bond harming journalism'

[email protected] (CD Network)
June 30, 2011

Mangalore, June 30: Even though the phenomenon of paid news and corruption scrolled into the field of media several years ago, the growing bond between politicians and journalists in recent years has resulted in the disappearance of honesty in the journalism, lamented senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu.

He was presenting his views on media and corruption at a seminar and interaction programme organized by city based 'Journalists Study Centre' here on Thursday to mark Kannada Press Day.

Mr Mattu pointed out that the journalism, which was once a medium of freedom struggle and social change in India, has turned into a pure 'industry' losing all its commitments, with the advent of economic liberalisation in 1990s. “When journalism got reduced to be a mere industry, 'social responsibility' became the victim,” he added.

He said although the concept of 'paid news', suddenly emerged as a topic of argument a couple of years ago, its existence had already changed the course of many major English newspapers, especially financial newspapers in the country almost two decades ago.

“Owing to the 'paid news' and 'advertisements' the English language newspapers were far ahead in profit compared to Kannada and other regional language newspapers, despite they being ahead in circulation. In this backdrop, the regional language newspapers began to concentrate towards their influential fields and finally landed in politics,” Mr Mattu said adding that a considerable number of regional language newspapers and televisions in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are in the hands of politicians belonging to various parties.

Recalling the enmity between former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr Mattu said, once presspersons had considered that politicians were their biggest enemies, but quite opposite to this belief, now both have become close friends.

Awakened Society

Mr Mattu also said that despite the fact that media has played a crucial role in social and political change in the past, it can influence only an awakened society. “When the general people themselves become corrupt, media cannot create any miracle,” he said.

“What can the media do, when people dare to re-elect corrupt politicians again and again despite knowing their scandals?” he questioned, pointing fingers at members of Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Recalling the quarter-century old socio-political scenario of Karnataka, Mr Mattu said in 1984 Lok Sabha polls Congress party had bagged 24 seats MP seats in Karnataka giving a crushing blow to the then Janata Government led by Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde. However in the Assembly polls held mere two months after the Lok Sabha poll, the Congress had faced a crucial defeat against Hegde's Party. “But, now we cannot expect such a sudden change in the attitude of voters within a gap of two moths,” he said.

Speaking on 'Media and Moral Values', Manipal Institution of Communication Director Varadesh Hiregange, urged the newsmen not to forget the doctrine of journalism, i.e., to be the voice of voiceless.

He also exhorted the reporters to take the victim's position while reporting and never lack sympathy towards poor.

NREG Ombudsman Sheena Shetty spoke on 'local issue and media'. Senior theater personality Basavalingaiah presided over the programme.

The seminar followed by the interaction session. Over a hundred activists, journalists and journalism students took part in the programme.

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News Network
October 31,2024

Udupi: Falling prey to a sophisticated a “digital arrest” scam, Prameela (39) found herself defrauded of a staggering ₹11,87,463. The plot, orchestrated through deceptive tactics, left her financially devastated.

On October 25, Prameela received a call from an unknown number claiming a parcel, allegedly sent by one Wang Ming Zi, was flagged due to containing suspicious items: 5 kg of clothes, 8 ICICI credit cards, and 700 grams of MDMA. Adding to the urgency, the caller asserted that an FIR had already been filed against her.

The caller then transferred Prameela to a supposed representative of the 'Bombay Cyber Crime Branch,' who introduced himself as Manish Kumar, claiming to be a senior executive at DTDC Mumbai. Manish directed her to connect via Skype video call, asking her to download the app and search for the ID [email protected].

Once on the call, Prameela was requested to provide her Aadhaar card details, which she complied with. She soon received what appeared to be a formal arrest order listing her name, address, and Aadhaar information. Under pressure, Prameela disclosed her bank account details and balance to the caller. Exploiting this trust, the scammer then transferred ₹11,87,463 from her account.

Following the incident, Prameela lodged a complaint with the Shirva police, who have since registered a case under sections 316(2), 318(4), 351(2) of the BNS, and 66(C), 66(D) of the IT Act. The authorities are now investigating this alarming case of digital fraud.

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News Network
November 3,2024

Mangaluru, Nov 3: Mangaluru police have apprehended two individuals connected to a major online purchasing scam, seizing assets worth ₹11.45 lakh. The suspects, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27), hail from Rajasthan and are accused of fraudulently acquiring high-value electronics through deceptive orders.

Background of the Case

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the case began with a fraudulent order placed through an international e-commerce company. Using a false identity under the name "Amrith," the suspects ordered two high-end Sony cameras along with ten other items, directing the delivery to an address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru on September 21 at 4 p.m.

The Scam Unfolds

During delivery, Raj Kumar Meena received the items by providing a delivery OTP, while Subhash Gurjar reportedly distracted the delivery personnel. The suspects then executed a sticker-swapping tactic, replacing original Sony camera box labels with stickers from other items in the order to mislead the delivery team. Meena also intentionally provided an incorrect OTP, causing further confusion. The duo told the delivery agent they would collect the cameras the next day, then sent him away before cancelling the camera order.

Detection and Arrest

The unusual activity raised suspicions, and upon inspection, Amazon’s delivery partner, Mahindra Logistics, discovered the sticker swap and alerted Amazon. Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects had taken the genuine cameras and left behind tampered boxes.

Upon deeper investigation, CCTV footage and other tracking methods led the police to identify and pursue the suspects as they attempted to flee the city. Meena was initially detained by the Salem police on October 4 for a similar scam and subsequently transferred to Urwa police custody in Mangaluru. Following his 13-day custody beginning on October 18, which included a thorough probe in both Mangaluru and Jaipur, Subhash Gurjar was apprehended on October 21.

Broader Criminal Network

The arrested individuals are allegedly part of a larger network, with involvement in at least 12 other high-profile cases. Their targets included high-end cameras, iPhones, and laptops, each costing over ₹10 lakh, with cases registered across states like Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

The seized assets, valued at ₹11.45 lakh, have been presented to the court as evidence, and investigations continue as authorities seek to dismantle this organized fraud operation.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Mangaluru: In a deeply tragic turn of events, a 28-year-old woman named Ranjitha, who had recently given birth but tragically lost her newborn, ended her life by suicide on Monday. She reportedly leapt from the fourth-floor window of Lady Goschen Hospital’s luggage room.

Ranjitha, whose strength and resilience had carried her through a difficult pregnancy, was scheduled for discharge on Monday. Her journey to Lady Goschen Hospital began on October 24, when she was transferred from Karkala. She was a high-risk patient, battling both hypertension and diabetes. At the time of her admission, she was just 27 weeks pregnant.

Due to the complexities of her health, doctors made the difficult decision to perform an emergency C-section on October 30. She delivered a baby girl, premature and weighing only 960 grams. The newborn was immediately moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where doctors did all they could. Despite these efforts, the baby passed away on November 3.

Ranjitha’s sorrow was profound. She stayed under hospital care even after her initial recovery and was preparing to go home on November 9. She had even requested a couple more days at the hospital, seeking time perhaps to cope with her unimaginable grief.

On the day of her discharge, a discharge card ready and her family eagerly waiting to take her home, Ranjitha reportedly made her way to the luggage room in the early hours. There, standing on a cot placed for patients' family members, she climbed to a window and fell from the fourth floor. Despite the attempts of another visitor to intervene, tragedy was inevitable. She was rushed to Government Wenlock Hospital, where doctors confirmed the worst—she was no more.

Dr. Durgaparasad M R, the Medical Superintendent at Lady Goschen Hospital, shared his grief and spoke of the ongoing investigation. A post-mortem is to be conducted, and the local Tahsildar will complete the necessary inquest procedures. Ranjitha’s exact reasons for taking this step are yet to be confirmed, though the weight of her recent losses paints a sorrowful picture.

If you or anyone you know is struggling emotionally, please remember that help is available. Reach out to mental health experts who can provide support and guidance. The toll-free helpline number 9152987821 is available to assist anyone in distress.

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