Mon Nov 18 13:39:07 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Speaker Condemns Crackdown on Journalists, Calls for Responsible Reporting

**Kozhikode, Kerala, November 18, 2024** – Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer on Monday criticized the increasing use of legal provisions to silence journalists in India. Speaking at the Calicut Press Club’s journalism awards ceremony, he alleged that media professionals are being targeted under the guise of press censorship and IT laws, facing attacks and pressure to compromise their integrity. He stated that for the past decade, media outlets have been pressured to be acquired by larger corporations, undermining independent journalism.

Shamseer emphasized the importance of a free press, highlighting the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression and lamenting the current state of affairs as a national embarrassment. While advocating for critical reporting, he urged journalists to maintain a constructive approach, verifying information before publication and engaging in respectful dialogue, even when criticizing the government. He also criticized the sensationalism prevalent in some news channels, particularly the unchecked broadcasting of “breaking news” and the increasingly adversarial nature of prime-time debates.

The ceremony also saw the presentation of several awards, including the P. Unnikrishnan memorial award to B.L. Arun (Manorama News) for general reporting (television), and the Mushthaq memorial award to T. Soumya (Mathrubhumi) for sports reporting and Attlee Fernandez (Malayala Manorama) for sports photography.

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