Media Academy Awards in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Annual Karnataka Media Academy Awards were presented to media personnel for their extra ordinary accomplishments in their pursuit for ethical journalism. These awards were presented to print and electronic media. Chief Guest Siddaramaiah could not make it due to some medical emergency and delegated all responsibilities to cherish the event to the Deputy Chief Minister Shivkumar.
The Deputy Chief Minister made an extraordinary speech and termed the fourth pillar of democracy today in danger as journalists have become partisans. He said that the time has come to take corrective measures to safe guard ethical standards in presenting facts beyond fiction by reporters, which is the need of the hour. He once again stated that “I shall go ahead with the setting up of a media college to churn out responsible journalists of tomorrow shortly with support from the journalistic fraternity to train and produce quality journalists of tomorrow.”
Speaking on the occasion of the Chairperson of the Karnataka State Media Academy, Ayesha Khanum delivered her accomplishments ever since she has taken charge as the Chairperson. She lauded both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for their confidence in her. Speaking in Kannada she said, “I shall maintain the dignity of office and work towards the interests of the media fraternity”. She was a bit emotional as there is shrinking media lung space in the recent past that is creating a kind of vacuum.
Media advisor to the Chief Minister KV Prabhakar expressed grave concern and said that the institutions imparting media studies are rapidly shrinking as there is no parity between demand and supply. He raised alarm that if this trend continues there will be no journalists’ to keep a tab on happenings and communicate it to the common man.
There were nearly 58 journalists who received awards for the year 2023 and 2024. There were five women journalists too. Among those notable names were Nihal Kidwai from NDTV , Rohini Swamy from CNN News 18 and Editor of Kannada Daily Vartha Bharati Abdussalam Puthige, the Award carried a sum of rupees 50 thousand besides a certificate and citation. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivkumar ensured his presence till the last person was felicitated. Moments before the conclusion of the event, DK announced that the Chief Minister would chair another get to gather with all these awardees shortly as a matter to honor them.
On the occasion book compilation on the nature of awards was also released by the dignitaries present at the dais. The book has carried a detailed profile of every journalist with their accomplishments in life. D K Shivkumar urged media persons to portray the achievements of Karnataka and maintain its dignified status that it enjoys across the country and abroad.