Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Media Academy will organise the International Media Festival of Kerala in the state capital from September 30 to October 2, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the three-day event.
A 501-member organising committee, with the Chief Minister as Patron, has been constituted to oversee the festival, which is being held in association with the Information and Public Relations Department (I&PRD) and the Kerala union of Working Journalists (KUWJ).
The festival logo was released by Chief Minister’s media advisor Prabhavarma at a function held at Kesari Memorial Hall, where KUWJ District President Shiller Stephen received it.
Speaking on the occasion, Prabhavarma called for a new international information order to ensure equal visibility for news from the Global South, noting that stories from Third World countries often fail to get due prominence in global media.
I&PRD Director T.V. Subhash, IAS, assured full departmental support for the event. KUWJ District Secretary Anupama G. Nair presided, while Academy Secretary Arun S.S. welcomed the gathering.
Kerala Media Academy Chairman R.S. Babu detailed the festival’s programme lineup.
The preparatory meeting was also addressed by I&PRD Additional Director K.G. Santhosh, Deputy Director K. Suresh Kumar, Institute of Communication Director C.L.
Thomas, Deshabhimani News Editor Suresh Vellimangalam, Media Club Coordinator Snemia Mahin, Radio Kerala Programme Head P.M. Lal, Hemalatha, and Vineetha.
According to Academy Chairman Babu, the festival will feature lectures, exhibitions, and interactive sessions, with participation from eminent media professionals.
Among them are African journalist Mariam Ouedraogo, and leading Indian journalists Karan Thapar and Ravish Kumar, both of whom will be honoured with the Academy’s Media Person of the Year award.
Highlights of the festival include a quiz competition for college students led by Grandmaster G.S. Pradeep for the Chief Minister’s Trophy, a Kerala Media Academy alumni meet, a conclave of selected YouTubers and vloggers, a photo exhibition honouring journalists martyred in Gaza, and a digital exhibition.
The main venues will be Tagore Theatre, Manaveeyam Veedhi, and Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
