Ker CM cautions against tendencies like paid news

Kottayam(Ker), Aug 21 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan today cautioned against tendencies like paid newsexisting in journalism in the country, saying media personsshould be trained to fight such evils. "Beware of wrong tendencies like paid news. Onlyjournalists with social commitments could fight suchtendencies," he said, adding, budding journalists should betreated in such a way. "Journalists used to uphold values like honesty, sincerityand accuracy in olden times. Their personal interests did notget reflected in their writings", Vijayan said addressing thestate conference of senior journalists forum here. The Chief Minister said his government would respondfavourably towards the demands of veteran journalists such astimely payment of their pension dues. Earlier in the day, addressing the conference, Leader ofOpposition in the State Assembly Ramesh Chennithala criticisedthe growing tendencies of political leadership evadingquestions of journalists. "Journalists are engaged in correcting the errors ofgovernment, political leadership and bureaucrats. Blaming themfor asking unfavourable questions is not good," he said. PTICOR TGB RCSMJMVV