"Are We Heading For Plantation Journalism And Gifted Journalism?" Asks India Today Bureau Chief

BANGALORE, MAY 10, 2008, 10.50 Hrs (SAR News):

Stephen David, Karnataka Bureau Chief of The India Today Weekly asked "Are We Heading For Plantation Journalism And Gifted Journalism?" at the Union Internationale de la Presse (UCIP) international Refresher Program in Bangalore May 7, at St. Johns College Auditorium.

Addressing interntional media delegates at the program on at the inaugural function, on the theme "Glit, Glamour, Moral Decadence and the Media" he pointed "Journalism that was intended to be a vehicle of development and a catalyst of Truth is now being tainted with plantation journalism and gifted journalism". "Journalists are being planted by multi-national corporations and by political parties to suit a particular selfish end. The gifted journalists are not those with talent, but those who receive gifts and favours to report to serve a particular group of people and their ideology…"

He told the participants "Bangalore will be a window where you can see where India is going. Bangalore is a microcosm of what happens across the country. It is the only city in the country where natives are minority are just 23%. This city has seen detrimental change where wealth is in the hands of the few. Even the media continues to look in a different direction. The media does seem to be playing the role of catalyst."

Citing the ongoing cricket hype in India David went on to say, "In order to attract people, semi-nude cheer leaders and even liquor companies are roped in. It is not only vulgarising the game but also exposing them through Media."

Speaking on having strong values, David noted "Every Reporter, writer, and Journalist irrespective of the country or religion must have strong values and roots. But who defines the Media Value. Morality is changing and it comes to be defined variously leaving us with the question what is the Truth. Journalists too are groping for Truth."

In order to know the truth Every Journalist must go back to their Roots, to their values only then a holy war against the glit, glamour and Moral Decadence can be waged.

The program saw the participation of delegates from Nepal, Sri Lanka,Pakistan, South Africa, Cannada including India. President of the India Catholic Press Association Father Adolf Washington and its vice president Jose Vincent were also present.