"It's responsibility of media to protect diversity": Kerala CM

Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], March 2 (ANI): Asserting that neutrality in a fight between communalism and secularism is hypocrisy and is tantamount to siding with communalism, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday urged the media to resist the forces against diversity, which was essential to their own survival.
"It's the responsibility of the media to protect diversity and to resist the forces against diversity, which are essential to their own survival. But it is doubtful whether the media has taken the issue with the seriousness it deserves," the Kerala CM said.
A three-day Kerala Media Conclave-24 International Media Festival inaugurated on the Kerala Media Academy campus in Kakkanad by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday.
The festival is organised jointly by the Media Academy, Information and Public Relations department, and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists. Discussions will be held on, among others, 175 years of Malayalam journalism and 100 years of radio.
Addressing the event, the state CM said further said that no media house or reporter in Kerala has faced any backlash for publishing truth and facts or criticising the state government.
"This is evidence of how strong media freedom is in Kerala," he added.
He also urged the media to be circumspect while reporting during election time, which was also the season of fake news.
He further said that the media should adopt a secular stance to counter communal movements against cultural diversity.
"Freedom of the media is under threat in various parts of the world, including India. In just a few months, more than 100 media persons were killed in the invasion of Gaza by Israel. It is for the first time in the world that so many media professionals in an area have got killed in such a short time. Yet, the media policy of pulling a cover over the brutality of Israel has gained dominance across the world," he said.
Vijayan also said that the 'imperialist news agencies and media houses are playing a crucial role in not informing the world that Palestine is a free nation, and that Israel has turned Gaza, which is a part of Palestine, into an open jail'.
"Media in general has failed to report on Palestine with humanity and accuracy," the Kerala CM said. (ANI)