Speaking at a function in this regard, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said he had held several discussions with the visual media in this regard and it was decided to raise the standards of the press academy, formed 35 years ago and re-name it as Kerala Media Academy.   

The State Information Minister K.C. Joseph said “There has been huge changes in the media with new entrants like the visual media coming in.”  

“The visual media is very active in the state. But there have been instances when incorrect reports have been aired without proper cross-checking”, the Minister said.   

Government was not against negative reports. But this type of tendencies will only result in the medium losing its credibility, he said adding they should introspect on whether a code of conduct was necessary.

Former Chairmen of the Academy—K. Mohanan, S.R. Shaktidharan, V.P. Ramachandran and N.P. Rajendran were honoured by the chief minister with 'ponnadas.'   

CM also gave away the media awards for 2013.