Periyapatna: Maintaining that only a person who has a clear idea of social justice and an equal society can alone become a good scribe, senior journalist Amshi Prasannakumar said that the media has a history of its own.

He was delivering the keynote address at the Newspaper Day celebration organised by Periyapatna Working Journalists Association at Periyapatna Taluk Panchayat Office on Sunday.

Stressing on the need for every journalist to ensure that social justice prevails in the society, Prasannakumar said that the readers too read newspapers from this point of view. Noting that journalists should also see that the hopes of the readers are not dashed, he observed that many public issues can be solved when the media acts a bridge between the Government and the society.

Pointing out that Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have given their own ideas and philosophy for the media, he said it is the duty of every journalist to follow the set principles and standards. Regretting that the media which started as a service, has now grown into an industry, he said that the life of a journalist will be fulfilled only when he/she presents true facts to the  readers.

Periyapatna MLA K. Mahadev in his address, recalled that he too began his career as a journalist with a regional daily in Mysuru. Asserting that he knows the problems faced by Journalists, he said that the media has the power to render justice to everyone. He assured to strive for allotment of land to Journalists Association and as well as sites to journalists.

Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) President S.T. Ravikumar emphasised on the need for journalists to become a voice of the voiceless sections of the society. The winners of the debate contest organised as part of Newspaper Day were distributed prizes and ‘Mysuru Mithra’ reporter P.S. Veeresh was felicitated on the occasion.

MDJA General Secretary M. Subramanya, member Ganesh, State Executive Director Raghavendra, former MCC Corporator Prashanth Gowda, Periyapatna Taluk Journalists Association President Satish Aradhya, General Secretary Prasanna, Secretary Ashok Alanahalli, former TP member Raghunath, local leader Annaiah Shetty and others were present.