KMA to organise orientation programme for rural reporters

Bangalore, Feb 1 (UNI) To promote society-oriented and meaningful journalism in rural areas, the Karnataka Media Academy (KMA) will organise an orientation programme for rural reporters in association with the Mysore-based Abdul Nazir Sab Rural Development and Research Association.

Disclosing this to reporters here, KMA Chairman V N Subbarao said the State Government had allocated Rs 6.5 lakh for the purpose.

Karnataka University Journalism department Professor S A Balasubramanium and Association officer Wilfred D'Souza would be the joint conveners of the programme, he said.

In this six-month long programme, nearly 250 rural-based reporters would undergo a three-day orientation programme in batches. Lectures by prominent personalities would be organised on rural development, panchayat raj system and decentralisation of power to the grassroots level. The journalists would hold group discussions, make village visits and prepare reports on their visits, he said.

Meanwhile, KMA invited applications for awards to be conferred on young journalists in the State. It would announce 12 awards in different categories, including three for electronic media. The awards include N K Ranganath Memorial Award for cartoonists, best investigative report, best news photo and best political review.

UNI