Thursday, January 5 2006 19:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Udupi: Journalists should follow a self-imposed code of ethics in order to uphold the profession's dignity and journalistic credibility, according to V Venkatesh, president of the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists.

Speaking after inaugurating the Udupi Press Club here today (Jan 05, 2006) he warned that if journalists crossed this self-imposed line or 'lakshman rekha' as he described it, there were chances of losing credibility.

It was the responsibility of the fourth pillar of democracy to function as the watchdog society in the backdrop of the state assuming the fourth position in the entire country in terms of corruption, he added.

The problems and issues of rural areas should reach the `third floor of the Vidhan Soudha', he said adding that dailies should give prominence to rural and local issues.

Referring to the plight of the employees of the recently closed down Kudremukh Iron Core Company limited following a Supreme Court order, he urged media persons to highlight the plight of the 2500 employees and alternatives to settle them. Speaking about the union's work, he said, that it had set up a fund of Rs 50 lakh for welfare of journalists. Following its efforts the state had enhanced the pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1500. The union was also ready to provide any assistance for setting such 'patrika bhavans' or clubs at all district levels.