"The rise and growth of Indian journalism was essentially dictated by the national freedom movement and the early years of Indian media amply reflected the public interest values embedded in the movement," he said at the function.
The print industry in this country continues to withstand the challenges from other technologically advanced new forms of media, "but it is the perils from within that threaten to eat it from within and take away its heart and soul," Ramachandran said.
"In my opinion, independence of media and freedom of speech are sacrosanct, so is public interest, patriotism, national security and right to due privacy," he said, adding, instances of excess criticisms, hyper reactions and exaggerated reporting should be avoided.
He said "a journalist should be a proponent of truth, must treat well all the subjects, friends, colleagues as human beings, must report without any fear or favour, be accountable to the public and above all he should be the votary of development and national interest."
Large population, increasing literacy and economic growth in recent years have all contributed to the rise in number of newspapers and their editions, he said.