Kerala CM Satheesan Warns Mainstream Media Against 'Unethical Journalism'

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has warned mainstream media organisations against abandoning professional standards, saying a form of journalism "without any professional courtesy or dignity" has taken root in the state.

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Thrissur Press Club on Saturday, he said established outlets with a tradition of credibility should not follow that path and should instead show Kerala the way forward.

The Chief Minister said journalism is passing through a period of major transition — from print to visual and then to digital media — and that the nature of this change deserved serious examination.

He focused on the question of accountability for misinformation in the digital space. Where newspapers once carried corrections the following day, he said, false reports can now circulate from morning until midnight and beyond without an apology or correction.

Mr. Satheesan also criticised the abusive character of some social media discourse, noting that women were among those most frequently targeted.

At the same time, he stressed that criticism is essential to journalism and democracy and that no political or administrative leader should be shielded from scrutiny. He said healthy criticism helps governments correct their mistakes, and that the media has a duty to question political, administrative and religious leadership when it strays from the right path.

He urged mainstream media not to sacrifice its institutional legacy by emulating social media, pointing to generations of journalists whose reading, experience, investigation and analysis had built the credibility of established organisations.

Addressing young journalists, he said the goal should not be merely higher ratings but becoming better journalists — producing honest reports, analysing news and finding stories of real value.

Press clubs and journalists' organisations, he added, cannot distance themselves from the responsibility of maintaining professional standards, and would have to answer for any decline.

Recalling the club's history, he noted it was inaugurated 50 years ago by former Chief Minister C. Achutha Menon, while its souvenir was released by senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran, who also addressed its first Meet the Press programme as Home Minister. He said the club had produced journalists who went on to hold senior positions in Kerala's media.

Referring to Thrissur's heritage, he said his first Budget had allocated funds for the renovation of Thekkinkad Maidan with the aim of turning it into a world-class public square.

Youth Affairs Minister O.J. Janeesh was chief guest at the function, which was presided over by Thrissur Press Club president M.B. Babu.