more-in Visual media should carry out self-introspection in light of the adverse observations made by the P.S. Antony Judicial Commission recently, Culture Minister A.K. Balan has said. Speaking after inaugurating the 25th State Television Awards distribution ceremony, he said that the government does not have any intention to impose controls on the media. “The Commission has observed that a channel has used unsavoury tactics to increase its ratings. It has also recommended a British-model legislation to check media excesses. Kerala is one of the States having high media freedom. At the same time, it is a reality that a section of the media is indulging in unethical intrusions,” he said. The Minister said that television news has morphed from being programmes to impart knowledge on day-to-day affairs to a round-the-clock addiction. “Many channels are planning and executing tricks to keep those who are addicted to news glued to the television sets round-the-clock, just like how those who are addicted to television serials do. The newsrooms sometimes become centres to form public opinion and push it towards regressive values. There have been instances where newsrooms have poured scorn on the proceedings of the judiciary and the legislature and undemocratically passed judgements on them. Such trends are undesirable,” said Mr.Balan. He said that the State government has always stood for freedom of expression of journalists and artistes, while the government at the centre has consistently taken stands against artistes, filmmakers and even cartoonists. “The people of Kerala have always reacted whenever there was an attack on freedom of expression. Recently, when a prominent anchor of a national news channel insulted the State, all of them came together to give negative ratings to the channel. It was a creative way to mark their protest at spreading falsehoods,” he said. The award for Best serial was given to ‘Pokkuveyil’ directed by K.K. Rajeev. The award for Best Telefilm was given to ‘Appooppan Thadi’ directed by K.V.Sivaprasad. K.Gireesh Babu won the award for Best Actor (Male), while Shafna Nissam and Sruthilakshmi shared the honours for the Best Actor (female).

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