Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari on Sunday said visual-based reports always made an impact on the readers.
She was speaking at the presentation of print media photography awards instituted by Telugu evening daily Leader.
Awards were presented at the function to Md. Navaz of Sakshi (first prize), Md. Rafi of Surya (second) and A. Sarat Kumar of Sakshi and Y. Ramakrishna of Andhra Jyoti (third).
Congratulating the winners on the occasion of World Photography Day, she said photography and reporting were inter-linked, interdependent and complementary. She also mentioned how her father N.T. Rama Rao’s yatra at the time of forming Telugu Desam and his eating and spending time on roadside made a big impact because of reports published along with photos. She also pointed out how the Bhopal gas tragedy was highlighted through photos on the horrific effect it had on the survivors.
Ms. Purandeswari takes a dig at rise in yellow journalism and called for change in mindset of the managements for responsible journalism. She said freedom of speech should not be misutilised.
Veteran journalist A.B.K. Prasad recalled how technological advancements had redefined journalism and regretted the growing trend of not publishing clarifications and corrections in newspapers.
Hyderabad Media House Managing Director K. Ramachandra Murthy recalled the experiences gained in Udayam when Mr. Prasad was the editor and the paper was under the ownership of film director Dasari Narayana Rao.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dadi Veerabhadra Rao presided. MLA and owner of Welfare group Malla Vijaya Prasad said from next year they would give awards to video cameramen.
Leader editor V.V. Ramana Murthy said they introduced awards for photographers as they needed a lot of encouragement for their dedicated service.
Government Whip Dronamraju Srinivas, MLAs Ch. Venkataramaiah and T. Vijaya Kumar, Vizag Journalist Forum president Gantla Sreenibabu and Vizag Photo Journalists Association president Vijay spoke.
