Mangaluru: Journalists have a moral responsibility to protect the credibility of the media and uphold professional ethics, particularly at a time when standards are eroding across several sectors, including politics, education, healthcare and religion, said Dr M. Mohan Alva, president of Alva’s Education Foundation.
He was speaking after inaugurating the renovated Akshara Sabhangan at the Mangaluru Press Club in Patrika Bhavan on Wednesday.
Dr Alva emphasised the media’s role in exposing social injustices, questioning those in power and ensuring accountability among public representatives and government officials. He said society could progress only when journalists remained committed to the values and ethical principles of their profession.
He urged members of the media to maintain credibility through responsible reporting and continue serving as a voice for the public.
Media’s role in Mangaluru’s development highlighted
Former minister Krishna J. Palemar, who inaugurated the hall, said the media had made a significant contribution to the development of Mangaluru.
He noted that public-oriented reporting on civic problems, road conditions and the grievances of residents had helped bring several issues to the attention of the authorities. Such coverage had also contributed to generating momentum for development initiatives in the city.
Palemar said the media played an important role in connecting citizens with the administration by highlighting problems that required official intervention.
He also stressed the need for journalists to scrutinise administrative decisions, particularly those concerning urban development and public infrastructure.
Call for scrutiny of urban planning decisions
Palemar cautioned that administrative decisions taken without a proper understanding of technical and regulatory issues could create serious problems in the future.
He referred to matters such as building regulations, mandatory setbacks and road widening, stressing the importance of considering their implications before decisions were implemented.
He urged journalists to closely monitor urban planning, infrastructure development and public safety issues. By bringing potential problems to public attention, the media could help promote greater accountability and encourage authorities to take informed decisions, he said.
His remarks underlined the importance of sustained media scrutiny of civic administration as Mangaluru continues to develop.
Renovated hall dedicated at Patrika Bhavan
K. Ananda Shetty, founder-president of the Mangaluru Press Club, unveiled the nameplate of the renovated Akshara Sabhangan.
Press Club president P. B. Harish Rai presided over the programme, which brought together journalists and representatives of media organisations.
Among those present were Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists’ Association president Pushparaj B. N., Patrika Bhavan Trust president Annu Mangaluru and association state committee member Srinivas Nayak Indaje.
Former association presidents B. Ravindra Shetty and Jagannath Shetty Bal also attended the event.
Press Club vice-president Muhammad Arif Padubidri welcomed the gathering, while general secretary Ibrahim Adkasthala proposed the vote of thanks. Satish Ira offered prayers, and Lokesh Rai compered the programme.
The inauguration highlighted the role of the Mangaluru Press Club as a platform for journalists and reaffirmed the importance of ethical reporting, public accountability and responsible coverage of issues affecting the city.