Jounalist warns against 'criminalisation' of news

Bangalore, Mar 26 (UNI) The Pioneer Group Managing Director and Editor Chandan Mitra today said the ''criminalisation'' and ''tabloidation'' of news was gaining momentum now.

Delivering his keynote address at a seminar on 'Breaking News and News That Breaks' organised by Public Relations Council of India(PRCI) here, he said ''criminalisation of news is distracting the news sense. The criminalisation and tabloidation of news has become the order of the day.'' Dr Mitra said it was the job of the editor to check the value of the news and curb its criminalisation. Earlier, the editor's job was to create a good marketing product and the PR would market it, but now what is happening is on the reverse, he added.

He said before blaming the media for tabloidation of news, people should see who is behind it. There should be social responsibility before breaking news and it should not be imposed, he added.

Prasar Bharati Chairman M V Kamath, in his inaugural address, said though technology had completely changed the news, it has not come in handy.

''We are entertaining the people with breaking news, but without giving reasons and background information,'' Mr Kamath added.

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