Goa news: Newspapers Retain Their Relevance Compared to Channels – R.V. Prabhugavkar; Interaction at the ‘Behind the Byline’ Program

Panaji | 17 November

Goa News Journalism is evolving, and these changes will accelerate in the future. News on television channels doesn’t leave a lasting impression. However, newspapers provide comprehensive details in daily reports, which ensures their survival, stated veteran journalist R.V. Prabhugavkar.

On Friday, Prabhugavkar interacted at the ‘Behind the Byline’ program organized by the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ).

Prabhugavkar began his journalistic career in 1963, after Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule. He has worked with both Marathi and English newspapers. This year, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. (Goa News)

He emphasized that in journalism, contemplation, study, and reading are more important than formal education. “After liberation, newspapers began in Goa. I started my journalism career in 1963 with the newspaper Rashtramat,” he said.(Goa News)

Madhav Gadkari was his role model. He shared, “I witnessed Bhau Saheb Bandodkar’s tenure after the referendum. Despite not being highly educated, Bandodkar had the people’s support and an awareness of problems, which made him an excellent Chief Minister. Goa is a small state, and its administration can be managed by a single District Magistrate. There is no need for ten to twelve ministers. In my household, there was an atmosphere of support for ‘MGP,’ and I grew up with Marathi and MGP’s ideology.”

He added that the field of journalism is rapidly changing. Despite the growing influence of social media, there is no threat to newspapers or journalism. Changes are occurring in all fields, including politics. “Goa, being a small state, allows for party-switching. Though foreign nationals come to Goa, one must note that 7 to 8 lakh Goans live outside the state,” he remarked.

“I Was Not at Fault in That Incident”

During the tenure of late Chief Minister Shashikala Kakodkar, a state budget was published in a Marathi newspaper before its official presentation. This led to the resignation of R.V. Prabhugavkar along with the editor and news editor of the newspaper. However, Prabhugavkar clarified, “I was not at fault in that incident.”