Mysore/Mysuru: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Professor Dr. Niranjan Vanalli has opined that print media is functioning with a sense of social responsibility and public service during the present Coronavirus crisis.

He was speaking at a webinar on Monday organised by the Department of Studies (DoS) in Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Mysore (UoM) in association with Field Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mysuru, on the topic ‘Positive Reporting in Media and Fact Check Efforts during COVID-19.’

“Instead of reassuring and educating general public at this crisis hour, electronic media is creating a sense of fear and panic in the minds of general public for TRP and is compromising its professional ethics. Compared to electronic media, print media has been functioning in a more sensible and responsible way,” he observed.

Journalist Ramesh Uthappa said, “Newspapers are trying to instil a sense of positive attitude, optimism and constructive motivation by publishing stories of persons who have successfully fought the Coronavirus battle and recovered from infection. We should stay away from those spreading negativity.”

Dr. C.K. Puttaswamy, Professor and Chairman, DoS in Journalism and Mass Communication, said, “A number of media houses are functioning without basic infrastructure amidst this pandemic. Some of them are facing economic and financial hardships. Senior journalists have become the latest victims of layoffs and newer ones are managing the show. How can we expect integrity and ethical behaviour in such a situation?”

Dr. T.C. Poornima, Deputy Director, Field Outreach Bureau, Mysuru; Dr. M.S. Sapna, Assistant Professor of Journalism, UoM; Dr. T. Muddesh of Tumkur University Journalism Department; Dr. Rashmi, Journalism Professor from Hassan; Dr. Prashant Malur of Manipal University; Raghavendra Deshapande of Hampi Kannada Univerisity; Dr. Geetha of SDM College; A.P. Ramesh, Director of JSS Jan Shikshan Samsthan; Dr. Hanumanthachar Joshi and others attended the webinar.