It is a positive sign to witness several young men and women take up journalism as a career. However, what they need is a helping hand in guiding them till they mature as journalists. As if to make up for the dearth of mentoring amateur journalists, Selvakumar, Senior Reporter Dinamalar newspaper came face-to-face with journos who work for various media organisations in the city, to give them a piece of advice. This event was put together by Coimbatore Press Club (CPC). We are told that such interactions are scheduled to be hosted on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month at CPC.
The young audience was eager to listen to their mentor speak. “As a journalist, you must try and focus on environmental issues. While reporting such issues among other issues, do so with caution. Be ethical to your profession as a journalist and at the same time be an honest journalist.” Selvakumar said.
Moving the focus to the organisation that the journalists work for, Selvakumar told his audience of young men and women 'The organisations you work for might be indirectly supporting any particular party or organisations through its writing or coverage. But as a journalist, you must be able to convince your respective news organization to carry factuals'
Commenting on the pen being mightier than the sword, Selvakumar stated “The written word has a lot of power and this power must not be misused, as several people become educated through your writings.
Your reports will become a source of education for the mass audience, so, you must be extra cautious that you do not mislead the people with what you report about. What you report can bring in a change in the people and in our society. As a journalist, you must necessarily get your facts and information right.”
Moving the focus to reporting on environmental issues, Selvakumar told his audience that reporting about our flora and fauna has become the need of the hour. “As a journalist you can identify and bring to light issues related to our environment that require attention. This can certainly bring in a sea change in our environment and it will also change the way people look at our environment.”
A nature enthusiast, Selvakumar promised his audience that he will sponsor a nature trek and teach them the nuances of reporting. It may be recalled that Selvakumar was awarded by the Press Council of India last November for his reporting that brought to light the plight of the Koushika River. Through his writings in Dinamalar newspaper, about this river, journalist Selvakumar managed to create an impact and he successfully educated the public on the journey of the river, how it lost it's path and the urgent need for working towards the conservation of rivers.
The young journalists who attended this session today, shared that it was an eye-opener for them. They took back home notes of the valuable lessons learnt and assured that they will implement them in their respective careers.