Bengaluru, April 11 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that journalists must reflect on whether they are truly upholding the ideals of the Constitution and avoid speculative journalism that focuses on trivial issues without considering its impact on society.
Addressing the 40th State Journalists' Conference organized by the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association and the Bidar District Working Journalists' Association, he cautioned that sensational or speculative reporting could be dangerous and urged media professionals to think about the consequences of repeatedly highlighting minor issues.
"Speculative journalism is extremely dangerous. Those who keep broadcasting trivial matters throughout the day must also think about the consequences. What benefit does society gain if a husband-wife quarrel is shown on television all day?" he said in a post on 'X'.
He said that both B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi worked as journalists and became the voice of the voiceless.
According to him, the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna-led Sharanas (movement) worked to remove inequalities in society and build a just social order.
"If the egalitarian society envisioned by the Sharanas does not materialize, inequality will continue. It is in the interest of the privileged that such inequality continues," he said.
Siddaramaiah also said that journalists should not limit themselves to merely providing information but must also contribute to social reform by creating awareness among people.
"In line with Ambedkar's vision, the Congress government had worked in 2013 to provide economic and social empowerment to everyone, and it continues to do so now. We are pursuing a pro-poor economic approach similar to universal basic income. Journalists should understand this," he said.
Noting that there are some good journalists, he said, however, many media organisations have come under corporate control.
"Even if journalists write the truth, editors sometimes alter it under pressure from the owners. I have been a minister for 40 years, but I have never asked anyone to write in favour of our government," he claimed.
Siddaramaiah said people still have faith in newspapers and that he too shared that trust.
He recalled that his government had implemented a scheme providing free bus passes to rural journalists and assured that any issues in its rules would be discussed and resolved.
