Upholding Ethics !

 Pune: Code of Journalistic Ethics, a book by the late veteran journalist Arun Sadhu, was launched at Patrakar Bhavan, Pune, on Tuesday. Edited by the late Dr. Kiran Thakur, former Head of the Journalism Department at Ranade Institute, the book was released in the presence of senior journalists and media professionals. 

The event was coordinated by the faculty of Ranade Institute and Granthali Publications. During the launch, Nachiket Thakur, son of Dr. Kiran Thakur, announced a new initiative to support investigative journalism. “We are privileged to carry forward my father’s legacy. To honor his contributions, we have decided to introduce an annual award for young investigative journalists and provide a financial scholarship to a journalism student each year,” he said. 

Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Kumar Ketkar addressed the gathering, expressing concern over the evolving nature of journalism. “Many journalists today focus more on their appearance than on the depth of their stories. Field reporting is declining, and human-interest stories are being overlooked,” he remarked. Ketkar also recalled his early reporting days with Arun Sadhu in the 1970s, highlighting Sadhu’s commitment to human-centered journalism and his in-depth analysis of socio-political issues. 

Senior journalist Suresh Bhatewara reflected on historical events referenced in the book, particularly the Gujarat violence of February 2002. He criticized the government’s failure to act despite repeated warnings about the risks of bringing the charred bodies of Sabarmati Express victims to Ahmedabad. “What followed was one of the most tragic communal riots in history,” he noted. 

The event paid tribute to Arun Sadhu’s contributions to journalism and literature while also serving as a platform for discussions on the ethical responsibilities of the media. The book launch reinforced the importance of journalistic integrity and the need for in-depth, responsible reporting in today’s media landscape.