Mysuru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday urged journalists to avoid reporting based on assumptions. Instead, they must project the facts and tell the truth to the people, he said.He spoke after felicitating state-level CM Cup award-winning photojournalists at a function organised by the Mysuru District Photojournalists’ Association, held at the Rani Bahadur auditorium at Manasagangothri premises in the city.Bias is a prejudice, favour for, or against individuals, groups, or parties, and is an unfair judgment. These days, news based on assumptions is increasing among journalists. The media is also called the fourth pillar of democracy. The people of the nation strongly believe in newspapers and media organisations for telling the truth. People look to media organisations for justice whenever they are in trouble and crisis. Media personnel should project facts and truth in front of the people, he said.He also urged journalists to be voices for the voiceless people, as people from several segments of society are deprived of access to education due to the practice of inequality and discrimination in society.Siddaramaiah also asked journalists to avoid sensational reporting and stop giving importance to superstitions. He wanted journalists to keep away from morphed images created with artificial intelligence and other digital alterations by AI tools.MLC K Shivakumar said the state govt has provided insurance cover, bus passes, and other facilities for journalists.The CM also honoured award-winning photojournalists of the year on the occasion. He also felicitated journalists who got consolation prizes.
