Kochi: Veteran Kerala Journalist and K M Roy passed away at his residence around 3.30 pm at Kadavanthra in Kochi on Saturday.
Roy started his journalism career at the Malayalam daily Keralaprakasham in 1961 as a subeditor while pursuing his master's degree from the Maharajas College, Ernakulam.
Later on, he worked with the newspapers such as Deshabandhu, Keralabhushanam, the Economic Times, the Hindu, and Mangalam. He had also worked at the news agency UNI.
He had retired as the General Editor of the Malayalam daily Mangalam.
K M Roy was the founder secretary of the Kottayam Press Club.
He had served as the president of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists two times and as the secretary-general of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists for four years from 1984.
Kerala Guv, CM, leaders condole demise of noted journalist
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader V D Satheesan, union minister V Muraleedharan and other senior leaders condoled the passing away of senior journalist K M Roy and said his contribution towards ensuring the rights of journalists will be long remembered.
The state protocol officer has directed the Ernakulam District Collector to make arrangements for presenting the state honours to the veteran journalist.
The government has "learnt with profound sorrow the demise of K M Roy, veteran Kerala journalist and recipient of Swadeshabhimani-Kesari award, the highest honour for media persons instituted by the Government of Kerala," the order read.
"Deeply grieved to hear about the demise of Shri K.M Roy, veteran journalist who served both Malayalam and English media... Shri. K M Roy's contribution to journalism, as well as towards ensuring the rights of journalists will be long remembered. My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace," Khan tweeted.
Vijayan said with the demise of Roy, Kerala has lost a prominent journalist who had made significant contributions to English and Malayalam journalism for many decades.
"As a notable news agency reporter, columnist and cultural activist, Roy's contributions were valuable to Kerala. His analytical reports strengthened the people's right to know. His death is an irreparable loss," Vijayan said in his condolences message.
Satheesan said the demise of Roy was a loss to the Indian media.
"Roy carved out his own space in the history of media history with his impartial and fearless writing," Satheesan said.
Muraleedharan said Roy was an impartial media personality who always upheld moral values.
"He was able to take bold stances and convey them to his readers through his writings. He created his own space through strong editorials," Muraleedharan said.
