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
November 1,2024

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Bengaluru, Nov 1: Hardline BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "Nationalise Waqf Assets", alleging Waqf board of "blatant violation" in claiming of the lands of Farmers, temples and mutts.

Taking to his social media, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal posted on X, saying "I have written a letter to the hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji to Nationalize the Waqf Assets in view of the arbitrary, blatant violation in claiming of the lands of Farmers, Landowners, Temples, Trusts and Mutts across the country by the Waqf board. All the citizens of the country have equal rights on the land. If the motive of Waqf is welfare and social service, this has to be done without bias and religious discrimination as India is a secular nation."

Additionally, Vijayapura MLA also attached the letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his post.

Earlier, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya had accused the Waqf Board of encroaching on thousands of acres of farmers' lands with the support of the Karnataka government.

Surya stated, "There have been multiple press conferences and videos in the public domain where the Minister himself has admitted that these Waqf adalats are being conducted under the Chief Minister's instructions. This is a grave matter, where thousands of acres of farmers' lands are being encroached upon by the Waqf Board with the active support and collusion of the State Government."

He mentioned that, in recent days, farmers from various districts across Karnataka have reported that, without prior notice, ownership of their lands has been abruptly transferred to the Waqf Board.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, claiming he has done nothing for Bengaluru. Kharge's remarks came in response to the BJP MP's accusations regarding Waqf Board land encroachment.

The Congress leader assured that the Karnataka government is committed to protecting farmers' properties.

Kharge further questioned the BJP's record on protecting temples during its previous government, stating that the Karnataka government is committed to safeguarding temples and common people's properties.

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News Network
November 12,2024

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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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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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