Warangal: Journalistic ethics have come down says AP State Advisor Ramachandra Murthy

Warangal: The mass media which plays the crucial role of fourth estate, is the guardian of democracy, said K Ramachandra Murthy, a veteran journalist and Advisor (Public Policy) to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, at the sixth endowment lecture in Kakatiya University, here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Sixth Endowment Lecture in memory of M S Acharya at the Commerce and Business Management Department in KU, Dr Murthy said that fourth estate is the defender of the public interest.

"In the seven-decade Independent India, journalism has seen many radical changes. The state of affairs in politics reached its nadir. Parallelly, ethics and values of journalism have also come down drastically.

Even against the wind, notably two Telugu-speaking states – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have produced some great journalists at national level," Dr Murthy said.

Journalists played an active role even in the times of emergency period, but, of late the freedom of press has taken a dent. With the managements seeing it as a business, the media, which tragically lost its voice, has lowered the quality of public discourse, he lamented.

Dr Murthy also emphasised on the need for allowing mass media play its role independently and with conviction rather than protecting the interests of a few sections of the society. Only then, the fourth estate lives forever, he added.

Dr Murthy released 'High in the Sky at Visnupada', a book of Annamayya Sankirtanas translation, authored by retired Professor Madabhushi Rajagopalacharya.

The programme was presided over by the KU Registrar Prof K Purushotham, in which former Central Information Commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar Acharya, Prof S Mahender Reddy, Lok Satta Udyama Samstha State Advisor Parcha Kodandarama Rao, PRO Vallala Prudviraj and scores of faculty and students were present.