Hyderabad: Regretting that accuracy and
objectivity have taken a backseat in media in the country,
Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today said the
trend should end.
"Whether it is in print or in TV channels, comments
are replacing facts. Facts are sacred. I don't think this is a
correct trend at all. Life is a flux. But certain basic
propositions have to be stable," he said after releasing a
book 'Dateline Andhra & an Overview of political movements in
Andhra'.
When reporters tend to comment, their own personal
views or political philosophy is reflected in the report,
Reddy said. "What you see must be reported, when you comment,
your philosophy comes into picture," he said. Regretting the
fall in media's standards, as in politics, Reddy called for
upholding ethics in every walk of life.
"Both politicians and journalists seem to be competing with each other in bringing down standards in their respective professions. Be true to
yourself. There is no better honesty," he said.
Paying rich tributes to the author of the book, late R
J Rajendra Prasad, who was Chief of Bureau of The Hindu in
Hyderabad, Reddy said Prasad possessed the best values and
qualities of a journalist.
"He (Rajendra Prasad) was my great friend. He had
opinions but he was not opinionated. He never sought any
favours. These qualities should be emulated by all
journalists," Reddy added.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 18:59