Amid reports of change of power in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said that his chair is not vacant.
Citing media reports that his deputy DK Shivakumar would soon replace him, Siddaramaiah took a dig at “speculative journalism”.
Speaking at the Press Club of Bengaluru (PCB) Awards-2024, the CM said, “There is no confusion among us, but journalists are still writing that ‘CM will be changed’. My chair is not vacant but they still say that the CM will be changed.”
He said that reports are made on the basis of assumptions, although no such thing may have happened.
Siddaramaiah said, “If people gather for dinner, it becomes news based on speculation that such discussions may have taken place, although we may have discussed something else and not what is reported there.”
He was referring to the dinner meetings held by ministers, which became the main point of discussion in the corridors of power.
The CM told the journalists to keep the society and their conscience in mind while reporting.
“Speculative journalism is at the center of attention these days. It is a dangerous trend. You should verify whether it is true or false. At least your reporting should be close to the truth,” he said.
Siddaramaiah stressed the need for healthy criticism, saying it helps people improve and take corrective steps.
Saying that journalism is a sacred profession, he called on journalists to become the voice of the people instead of promoting superstition.
In this regard, he recalled an incident during his first term as CM from 2013 to 2018. In 2016, a news channel had a panel discussion of astrologers about the possible outcomes after a crow landed on their car windshield. “Two astrologers were brought to the TV studio for the panel discussion. One of them said that I would not be able to present the budget, while the other said that I would resign immediately after presenting the budget, but despite this I continued Such superstitions should not be encouraged,” he said.
He wondered whether promoting such things would bring change in the society or increase the credibility of journalists.
Siddaramaiah said, “People have a lot of trust in you, which you must maintain. You are the fourth pillar of democracy. People look to you to see how the pillars of democracy are working.”
Karnataka Commerce and Industry Minister MB Patil received the PBC Man of the Year award, while Women and Child Welfare Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Energy Minister KJ George and Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa were given the PCB Special Award.
