Udupi: Clifford Pereira, Director of TV9 speaks on ’Opportunities and Challenges of Christian Media

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 20 December 2017: “If anyone wants to make a career in journalism, he or she should tell truth and live by truth. It is unfortunate that in modern media there is no full truth but half or no truth. Christian youth are reluctant to take up journalism as a career as it requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. It is important that as Jesus said in the Gospels, one should become the salt of the earth and light in the darkness.  The task of a journalist should be to uphold truth and expose falsehood. There is a greater need that some of the Christian youth not only should enter the field of journalism but also rise in the editorial board and become anchors in TV channels”, said Clifford Pereira, Director of popular Kannada TV Channel, TV9. He was speaking on the theme of “Opportunities and Challenges of Christian Media” at the Christmas Get-together with Christian Media Friends and Conveners of Social Communication Commission of various parishes of the Udupi Diocese on Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at  3.30 pm at the Mother of Sorrows Parish hall, Udupi.

Narrating a special bond with St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur-Karkala and the Diocese of Udupi, Clifford Pereira said that  a severe illness brought him to the pilgrimage centre of St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur-Karkala for the first time. He visited the shrine once again later. When the shrine was dedicated as a Basilica, Clifford Pereira was present at the occasion and gave wide publicity to the inauguration of the Basilica. He said that since he met Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese, Clifford Pereira developed a special bond with the Diocese of Udupi.

 

 

Though born at Hosamane, Belur Taluka, Hassan District, Karnataka on 28 November 1963, Clifford Pereira’s father hailed  from Venur and mother from Padil, Mangalore. Right from his young days, Clifford wanted to be a manager and occupied a number of positions especially in Media Groups. He joined the Times of India Group, Bangalore in 1988 and served in various capacities in Marketing Division till 1996. Later he was transferred to Hyderabad where he worked from 1996 to 2004. In 2004, Clifford joined Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited. In 2005, he joined TV9 Media Private Limited and in 2006 onwards he joined TV9 Karnataka Private Limited. From 2009 onwards he joined Indiavision Satellite Communication Limited.

With his vast experience in media, Clifford Pereira narrated how he could climb the ladder of success and become the Director of TV9.  He said that parents usually encourage their children to get education and move to United States or elsewhere rather than find opportunities in our own country.  He agreed that though there are few ‘paid’ channels, there are a number of reporters and anchors who maintain their integrity by reporting the events and incidents impartially.

 

 

The new web-site “Divyavani Live” edited by Vinod Gangolli was switched on by Clifford Pereira along with Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo.

Speaking after the inauguration of the website, Vinod Gangolli said that with the support of the Bishop and diocesan authorities he ventured to start the ‘no-profit’ based website in order to encourage the youth from various parishes to develop the art of writing reports and sending pictures to the website. He made an appeal to the Conveners of Social Communication Commissions in various Deaneries and Parishes to encourage their youth in this direction.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo appreciated the speech given by Clifford Pereira and lauded the efforts and hard work of Vinod Gangolli. He also informed that on 18 January 2018, the Postal Department will release a Stamp and First Day Cover in commemoration of the Basilica of St. Lawrence at Attur-Karkala.

As part of the Christmas celebration, Clifford Pereira along with Bishop Gerald Lobo cut the cake.

 

 

The Christmas get-together with Christian Media Friends and Conveners of the Social Communication Commissions was presided over by Bishop Gerald Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included: Clifford Pereira, the chief speaker, Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and Director of Diocesan Social Communication Commission, Prashant Jathanna-Director of Big J TV, Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Udupi Diocese and Michael Rodrigues-Convener of Christian Media Friends.

Fr. Chetan Lobo (OFM Cap), Editor of “Uzwaad”, Fr. Harold Pereira-Director of 18Commissions of the Udupi Diocese, Fr. Louis D’Sa-Director of Diocesan Interreligious  Harmony, Fr. Ferdinand Gonslaves, Parish Priest of Shankerpura, Fr. Stephen D’Souza-Director of Udupi Diocesan Liturgy Commission and Fr. Ravi Rajesh(OFM Cap)-Director of Udupi Deanery Social Communication Commission, Leslie Aroza-Director of Family Commission  were also present.

Fr. Valerian Mendonca welcomed the gathering, Michael Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks and Fr. Denis D’Sa introduced Clifford Pereira and compeered the programme.