For approximately twelve years, there has been a call in the press for a meeting among journalists working in newspapers and books published on the West Coast of India. The objective is to establish a body that addresses provisions related to the field of journalism. However, there has been no visible effort to establish such an organisation, aside from contributing articles and editorials to some newspapers. About ten years ago, this writer addressed this issue through the newspaper "Keralapanchika" and consulted with numerous journalists in the Malayalam media. Several individuals, including the late Kadathanattu Udayavarma Thampuran (editor of "Kavanodayam"), the late Mr. P. J. Pailee (editor of Cochin's "Sathyanadam"), Mr. C.P. Govindan Nair (editor of "Keralasanchari" in Kozhikode), and the activist Pattambi Vijnana Chintamani Brahmasree Punnassery Nilakanta Sharma, expressed their opinions on the necessity and the conditions of the editorial board. Many others also spoke in favour of it. Unfortunately, due to unfavourable circumstances, the effort could not be continued in that direction. Now, this matter has become increasingly serious and urgent with each passing day. 

Mr. T.M. Appu Nedungadi, currently a government lawyer in Kozhikode, commented that there are more than enough newspapers in Malayalam-speaking areas. He suggested that this criticism is particularly applicable to Travancore, and it would be appropriate to consider closing down some newspapers, opting to run only a select few with their respective workers and other journalists. While initially, the workers of Malayalam newspapers found it somewhat challenging to reach a consensus on this issue, the current state of the country, the gravity of the times, and the criticism directed at newspapers from some quarters have led to the realisation that the establishment of a newspaper editors' association is imperative. If newspapers were established and operated solely for the financial gain of journalists and owners, rather than to fulfil specific needs of the public, it is likely that such journalists would be less inclined to adhere to ethical standards. Not everyone possesses the ability to recognise that those who violate rules are causing more harm than good. If someone takes the initiative to caution the public against supporting newspapers that could prove detrimental to the field of journalism, it might be viewed as an unhealthy form of competition or "vigour from the rivalry."

There needs to be a body empowered to reprimand newspapers if they are found to be breaking the rules. This group not only serves to reprimand errant newspapers but also aims to protest unanimously if these newspapers were to publish government regulations that could be detrimental to the interests of the people. Such a collective effort significantly facilitates preventing misunderstandings among the public about government actions and helps in fostering a better understanding of the matter. One of the key functions of newspapers is to shape public opinion, particularly in situations where it might be lacking, and to serve as a platform to share these opinions with the government when such opinions are evident. For this reason, if each newspaper continues to pursue its own path in these two aspects, the country may not derive any lasting benefit. Instead, these two crucial elements might disintegrate, much like a house with crumbling walls. We neither have the authority nor the necessity to dictate that the management of newspapers must align with a specific policy or that journalists are limited to expressing only certain opinions. However, we believe that emphasising the importance of establishing an editorial board should be strongly conveyed to the journalists.

Arrangements and other details will follow at the appropriate time. We believe that the suitable occasion for organising such a forum is during the Sri Moolam Popular assembly scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram this coming January. It is possible that newspaper representatives, not only from Travancore but also from Kochi and Malabar, will be taking part in the event. We welcome the views of fellow journalists and others involved in journalism on this matter.