CM tells electronic media journalists to be on the side of truth

Calling upon electronic media journalists to refrain from speculative journalism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has told them to be on the side of the truth.

He was speaking after inaugurating the newly formed Karnataka Electronic Media Journalists Association and releasing its logo in Hubballi on Monday evening.

The Chief Minister said that speculative journalism is detrimental to society. He said: “You be with the thieves or anyone else but always stand on the side of the truth.”

Clarifying that he never requested any media person to report in favour of him or report in a particular way, he said, “Even when lies were told about me, I never questioned anyone. I don’t have expectation from the media. But if possible show the truth and write about it.”

Recalling an incident wherein a crow sat on the bonnet of his car and on which there was a huge debate in the electronic media, he said, “Ultimately, what the channels showed and what the astrologers said proved to be utter lies. If you report like this, will people accept it? Please think over it.”

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that his government will always stand in favour of freedom of expression. He said that he will not take any step that will affect freedom of expression and neither will his government do it.

Assurance

Meanwhile, on behalf of the association, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister seeking action against YouTube channels indulging in blackmail and other cheap practices. The Chief Minister assured them of looking into the issue and taking the requisite action.

Donning roles

As part of the inaugural event, Labour Minister Santosh Lad donned the role of a cameraman, while Hubballi Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai, donning the role of a reporter, posed a question to the Chief Minister.

Replying to Mr. Tenginakai’s query on the government’s commitment to irrigation projects of North Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the government will take steps to implement the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project immediately after a gazette notification on increasing the height of the dam to 524 m is issued by the Union government.

A decision on rehabilitation of the people to be displaced by the project will be taken in the next Cabinet meeting, he said.

On the Mahadayi project, the Chief Minister admitted that there is delay in the implementation of the work because of want of the necessary environmental clearances from the Union government.

Chairman of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, Government Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, Hubballi Dharwad Mayor Jyoti Patil, Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy, MLAs Prasad Abbayya and M.R. Patil and others were present.

Association president Prakash Noolvi spoke about the objectives of the new association.

Other office-bearers Shivaram Asundi, Mehaboob Munavalli, Kalmesh Mandyal and Yallappa Solaragoppa and others were present.