Upholding Ethics!

 Arun Sadhu’s Legacy Honored with Book Launch

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

A Tribute to Journalistic Integrity

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.

 

Concerns Over Changing Journalism

Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Kumar Ketkar addressed the gathering, voicing concern over the changing landscape 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 reminisced about his early reporting days with Arun Sadhu in the 1970s, highlighting Sadhu’s commitment to human-centered journalism and his in-depth socio-political analysis.

Historical Reflections

Senior journalist Suresh Bhatewara discussed historical events referenced in the book, particularly the Gujarat violence of February 2002. He criticized the government’s inaction, 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.

 

A Call for Ethical Journalism

The event celebrated Arun Sadhu’s contributions to journalism and literature while sparking discussions on media ethics. The book launch reinforced the importance of journalistic integrity and the need for in-depth, responsible reporting in today’s media landscape.