Focusing on real issues, pursuing investigative journalism, and ensuring trustworthy reporting that brings ground realities into public discussion are essential for journalists, said Vijaya Bharati, Member of the Indian Human Rights Commission, in Hyderabad.
As the chief guest, she was speaking on the occasion of Narada Jayanti, organised by the Hyderabad-based Samachara Bharati Cultural Association at YMIS, Koti, Hyderabad, on May 2.
She noted that bringing real issues to public attention helps institutions like the NHRC function effectively in protecting the rights of vulnerable sections. She emphasised that credible reporting acts as a bridge between the public and governance systems.
Vijaya Bharati shared several moving examples from the media where impactful reporting led to action by the NHRC in upholding human rights. She highlighted how positive and balanced reporting on developments in Manipur helped build a more constructive social atmosphere. She also recalled her visit to Sandeshkhali in West Bengal following incidents of sexual harassment by radical elements, stressing the importance of responsible and value-based journalism in such situations.
The event was presided over by G. Gopal Reddy, President of the Samachara Bharati Cultural Association. He explained the organisation’s activities and its efforts to promote positive public discourse while recognising journalists for their contributions to society.
On this occasion, six journalists were honoured; they expressed gratitude to Samachara Bharati, shared their experiences with the audience, and reiterated their commitment to ethical and responsible journalism.
Felicitated Journalists
Shri Damera Saibaba (Print Media) spoke about his investigative work, including reports on explosives allegedly exported to Sri Lanka and linked to the LTTE in the late 1980s. He also reflected on covering bomb explosion cases in Punjab and Haryana. He highlighted the challenges arising from pressures between editors, journalists, and media management. He urged young journalists to pursue investigative reporting with integrity despite institutional pressures.
Smt. Lakshmi Rao (Electronic Media – Chief Editor, Raj News) thanked the organisers and expressed her gratitude.
Shri Jandhyala Sharath (Column Writer) emphasised that opinion writing must contribute to informed public discourse rather than deepen divisions, calling for responsibility in shaping narratives.
Smt. Anjali (Media Blogger / Social Journalist) thanked the organisers for recognising her work and for the guidance of her seniors.
Shri Saraswatula Rama Narasimham (Sarasi – Cartoonist) underlined the strength of visual satire, noting that cartoons often communicate truth more sharply and effectively than lengthy reports. Though he was concerned about the declining space, he wished more people to carry this forward.
Shri Booram Prashant (Young Journalist) shared his field reporting experiences, including coverage of villagers’ deaths linked to sand mafia activities in Sircilla, reporting on the Kondagattu tragedy, and his work during the Medaram Jatara.
Particularly, he highlighted how field-based journalism helped challenge widely circulated narratives around the famous biannual tribal Medaram Jatara held in Telangana that did not align with the factual realities of Samakka and Saralamma. He noted that the portrayal of their struggle as a fight against the Kakatiya kings had been distorted into a manipulated narrative against tribal communities and their families, and expressed hope that such reporting would correct these distortions.
Senior journalist G. Vallishwar, Vice President of Samachara Bharati, along with senior journalists Vedula Narasimham, Vishwanathan, Devika, Chandrasekhar, Kontu Mallesham, Srinivas, Kranti Dev Mitra, Om Prakash, Janikaram, Mahesh, Satish, Balakrishna Kotireddy, and Rana Prathap, Prof Anantha Laksmi, as well as senior RSS functionaries Shyam Prasad, Mallikarjun, and K. Rajgopal, were among the participants. The event witnessed the participation of nearly 170 attendees, including senior journalists and media professionals.
Hyderabad-based Samachara Bharati Cultural Association, founded in 1998, promotes positive ideas, builds a national narrative, and counters misinformation about the nation and its heritage. It engages across sectors influencing public opinion and trains youth for constructive change.
Its initiatives include Narada Jayanti, Kakatiya Film Festival, Golkonda Literary Festival, workshops for writers and journalists, Social Media Sangamam, and events and seminars. VSK Telangana, as part of Samachara Bharati, focuses on the media segment.
