Thiruvananthapuram: Malayala Manorama could achieve greater acceptance even among those who are averse to the daily’s political leanings with Thomas Jacob as editorial director, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
He was speaking at a function held here on Tuesday to present the state government’s Swadeshabhimani-Kesari Award to Thomas Jacob.
Describing him as a role model for the younger generation of journalists, the chief minister said: “Malayala Manorama was able to embrace many prominent personalities in the political and cultural spheres, who had different political affiliations. Thomas Jacob has played a key role in shaping up the modern Malayalam newspaper journalism. The changes brought in by him were followed by many other media houses”.
“He took Manorama to new heights with his dedication and inquisitive nature. To improve the newspaper by injecting fresh ideas, he nurtured a crop of young talents. Not just Manorama, his professionalism has helped almost all the Malayalam newspapers achieve global standards,” according to Pinarayi.
The growing corporatization of the Indian media is a cause for concern, the chief minister said.
“Corporate invasion of media is a reality today. As many as 18 of the major vernacular media houses in India are controlled by multinational corporations. Local media should be alert against such invasion and the systematic destruction of indigenous culture,” the CM pointed out.
“Digital media too poses a clear threat to the traditional media. Nobody is responsible for the unverified information arriving in real-time through social media channels. People wonder why such news do not appear in the mainstream media. I hope newspapers would be able to overcome all these challenges,” he said.
The award comprised a purse of Rs 1 lakh, citation and a statuette designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman.
V. S. Sivakumar MLA who presided over the function lauded Thomas Jacob’s contribution to journalism during a career spanning over five decades.
Media Academy chairman R. S. Babu read out the citation.
D. Babu Paul, one of the members of the jury, opined Thomas Jacob was a great role model for young and aspiring journalists in the country.
Poet Prabha Varma said Thomas Jacob was a great teacher for a generation of mediapersons including him.
John Brittas, media adviser to the chief minister, termed Thomas Jacob’s achievement as a recognition to the entire media community in Kerala.
Asianet News editor M. G. Radhakrishnan called him a symbol of sustained excellence who motivated the rest to aspire and strive to achieve international standards.
In his felicitation address, veteran journalist T. J. S. George pointed out that Manorma achieved exponential growth and massive popularity under Thomas Jacob and there was no parallel to him on that front.
C. Narayanan, general secretary of Kerala Union of Working Journalists, described Thomas as the ‘editorial director’ of Malayalam journalism itself.
In his reply, Thomas Jacob said he takes pride in receiving an award from a government, which does not enjoy the support of his media house.
“I have always tried to share my knowledge and experience with all media. At a time when newspapers all over the world are confronting a deep crisis, dailies in Kerala are witnessing an upward trend in circulation,” he said.
Information and Public Relations additional chief secretary Sheela Thomas and director Dr. K. Ampady also spoke on the occasion.
A short film on Thomas Jacob produced by the Information and Public Relations Department was screened at the function.
An exhibition of newspaper reports, photos and cartoons that are milestones in the history of Malayalam journalism, and a dance performance by actress Manju Warrier were also held.