Latest news with #IMA
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Civil Rights Groups Condemn Religious Bias by Puttur IMA, Call for Action to Safeguard Communal Harmony in Coastal Karnataka
Mangaluru: In a strongly worded condemnation, civil society organisations and secular groups from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have criticised the Puttur unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for what they described as "religiously biased and politically motivated" actions, allegedly influenced by right-wing groups. The criticism was voiced during a joint meeting held at a private hotel in Mulki on Thursday, where participants resolved to initiate legal and public mobilisation efforts to counter growing communal polarisation in coastal Karnataka. The meeting was convened in the backdrop of a recent controversy involving a government doctor from Puttur, who reportedly engaged in a verbal dispute with a Muslim family. The IMA Puttur unit allegedly supported the doctor and joined a protest alongside members of right-wing organisations. Speakers at the meeting expressed concern that the IMA's involvement in such protests, including alleged hate speech targeting the Muslim community, reveals a disturbing communal orientation within a professional body expected to uphold neutrality. Participants also criticised the defamation case filed against journalist AbduSalaam Putthige and activist Muneer Katipalla for raising concerns over the incident. 'This amounts to an attempt to suppress democratic voices and is a blemish on the medical profession itself,' the groups stated in a joint resolution. A protest meeting is now planned for the second week of June in Mangaluru, where a formal demand will be submitted to the government seeking an impartial probe into the conduct of the IMA Puttur unit and those involved. The meeting further addressed the broader rise in communal tensions in the region, pointing to a series of recent hate speeches and politically motivated murders allegedly linked to Hindutva groups and supported by some BJP legislators. Speakers argued that the state government's 'soft approach' towards communal violence has deepened mistrust between communities, undermined law and order, and harmed Karnataka's tradition of religious coexistence. In response, the gathering called for unity among progressive, secular, and people-centric organisations, regardless of ideological differences. A series of mass awareness campaigns and outreach programmes will be launched in the coming months, once the situation stabilises, to rebuild trust and promote harmony. The meeting was chaired by Amrith Shenoy, coordinator of Sahabalve Udupi. Among the key participants were CPI(M) state secretariat member K. Yadava Shetty, CPI district secretary B. Shekhar, Congress spokesperson M.G. Hegde, senior advocate Dinesh Hegde Ulepady, Dalit and tribal rights leaders M. Devadas and Dr. Krishnappa Konchady, DYFI representatives, former Mangaluru Mayor K. Ashraf, and various office bearers from the Muslim Federation of Udupi and Mangaluru. Activist Manjula Nayak of Samarasya Mangaluru and several leaders from labour and student movements also attended. The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to protect the coastal region's pluralistic ethos and confront communal politics through lawful and democratic means.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
IMA opposes proposed integrated MBBS-BAMS course, calls it unscientific
The Indian Medical Association on Friday (May 30, 2025) condemned the proposed introduction of an integrated course combining MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) programmes at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry. Calling the move 'unfortunate', it said this 'unscientific mixing of various systems of medicines will not benefit doctors or patients''. The Central government had earlier announced plans to integrate modern and Ayurvedic medicine under one academic curriculum, with a new integrated medical programme expected to be launched at the premier healthcare institute in Puducherry. 'It is unfortunate that the Union government seems to have decided to go ahead with its plans to unscientifically mix systems of medicine. Reports indicate that the first integrative course mixing MBBS and BAMS would be started in the premier institution of JIPMER, Pondicherry,' said the IMA in a statement. The MBBS is the foundational undergraduate medical degree that prepares students to practice as physicians and surgeons. It typically takes five and a half years to complete and includes a year of mandatory internship. The BAMS, on the other hand, is a degree focused on Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. The BAMS too is a five-and-a-half-year programme and requires four and a half years of academic study and a one-year mandatory internship. The MBBS and BAMS are currently offered in India as two separate degree programmes. The IMA said it had pointed out several times that mixing of 'incompatible systems' was an 'irreversible catastrophe'. It appealed to qualified Ayurvedic physicians to defend their system, warning that 'mixopathy takes away the right of the patient to choose care of his/her choice'. 'Let all systems retain their pristine purity. Refrain from producing hybrid doctors who will be only qualified quacks,'' said the IMA, adding that the misadventure will set back healthcare by a century. It further said India is the 'frontier of medicine today' and infrastructure and expertise exist to undertake any medical intervention at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. 'Indian doctors are the backbone of medical services in several western countries. IMA fails to see any compelling reason or logic in the ill-advised government move,'' it said. The IMA added there are reasons to believe that this move would be catastrophic to Ayurveda as well. 'Having failed to convince the government, IMA has no option but to take the people into confidence. IMA appeals to the nation to resist this indiscretion for the health of future generations,'' the members said. It said India has seen life expectancy grow from 32 years in 1947 to 70.8 years in 2025 and this has been possible because of eradication of diseases like smallpox and neonatal tetanus by vaccines and access to modern maternal and child healthcare, while highlighting the positive role of antibiotics and other modern drugs in treating diseases like tuberculosis, plague, cholera and typhoid. It stated that advances in cancer care, advent of insulin and other drugs for diabetes and hypertension, as well as huge strides in managing heart diseases and stroke have a significant role in enhancing the healthcare ecosystem. The association also cited mixing of medicine systems in China and said the move had failed there. 'China failed in its experiment of mixing modern medicine and Chinese traditional medicine; this also resulted in decimation of their traditional medicine. India has a robust chain of hospitals and public health services with 779 medical colleges and 1,36,325 MBBS doctors per year. We should not give away that advantage that our robust medical education system has created,'' the statement said.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Odysee Unveils 'Portal' with Independent Media Alliance as Flagship Partner for New Decentralized Publishing Platform
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Odysee announces Portal, a groundbreaking decentralized publishing platform that will transform how independent media operates online. The Independent Media Alliance (IMA) — featuring prominent voices Whitney Webb, Derrick Broze, and Ryan Cristián of The Last American Vagabond — will serve as the flagship partner, operating as the first major Portal within Odysee's broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME). "Platforms shouldn't decide what audiences see or how creators connect with their communities," said Chandra. "We believe decentralization offers a better path forward — one that puts power back in the hands of journalists and the public." Share Odysee Founder and CEO Julian Chandra states the IMA is intended to showcase how decentralized technologies can empower independent media to maintain direct relationships with their audiences, free from the editorial filters and algorithmic controls of centralized platforms. "Portal is about returning control to the creators," said Chandra. "The Independent Media Alliance shows how groups of journalists can build their own spaces, manage their own communities, and protect the integrity of their work without reliance on centralized platforms." A Response to Centralized Censorship The Independent Media Alliance emerges at a time of growing concern over censorship, deplatforming, and algorithmic suppression across major technology platforms. Many independent journalists argue that these dynamics restrict their ability to reach audiences, particularly on sensitive topics related to public health, foreign policy, and government accountability. Whitney Webb, an investigative journalist known for her reporting on intelligence agencies and global corporate networks, has consistently warned about the dangers of media consolidation. Through her platform Unlimited Hangout, Webb has produced long-form investigations that challenge dominant narratives and highlight underreported stories. "The online media landscape, despite the plummeting trust in mainstream media, has never been more weaponized and difficult to navigate," stated Webb. "By pooling our collective resources and creating some new resources, the goal is for this group of principled independent journalists and content creators, who have proven themselves over the past several years as willing to challenge official narratives even when difficult, to be able to withstand the increasing pressures of disseminating adversarial content in an increasingly adversarial social media landscape." Similarly, Derrick Broze, founder of The Conscious Resistance Network, has advocated for decentralized alternatives to mainstream platforms. "Together we have the power to maximize our reach and counter false solutions and narratives which are infecting the indie media and 'truth community'," Broze said in a recent public statement endorsing the IMA's mission. "We believe there has never been a more important time for independent, principled journalists and content creators to collaborate more than ever." The Last American Vagabond, led by Ryan Cristián, has gained a substantial following for its critical analysis of geopolitics, health freedom, and civil liberties. Cristián's work emphasizes the importance of transparency and the dangers of allowing centralized platforms to dictate the scope of public discourse. "At a time when objective, non-partisan media is under more attack than ever, and the two party illusion has never been more vulnerable, like the cornered animal it is, the system lashes out at those who try to change it," Cristián explains. "Whitney, Derrick and I decided to start this Independent Media Alliance to organize against this rising threat using objective, well-researched journalism and collaboration." The creation of the Independent Media Alliance represents a collective effort by these and other figures to reclaim control over their work and to engage directly with their audiences without external interference. The alliance will conduct regular panels and debates featuring members and guests, collaborative investigations, and content distribution through Portal to ensure it cannot be easily censored. Portal: A Decentralized Publishing Platform Portal, developed by the Odysee Team, is a decentralized publishing system designed to allow communities and organizations to manage their own spaces independently of traditional centralized platforms. Functionally similar to website-building tools but with significant advantages, Portal provides the technical infrastructure for creators to launch customizable websites in a decentralized environment where they retain full control. Rather than relying on external infrastructure, Portal users will be able to establish their own commenting systems, messaging functions, content moderation policies, monetization models, and customized site designs. The Independent Media Alliance will operate as one such Portal. By controlling the tools for community interaction, content hosting, and financial support, the IMA intends to minimize reliance on centralized intermediaries and maintain full editorial autonomy. The platform will serve as a key distribution channel for the alliance's collaborative investigations and content focused on countering narratives around the "false two-party paradigm, support for imperial wars, 5th Generation Warfare, and technocratic solutions to legitimate problems." The Odysee Team created Portal to offer organizations like the IMA a way to distribute and manage content without the risks of algorithmic suppression, deplatforming, or third-party moderation. Each Portal, including the IMA's, will function autonomously within the broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem. "Platforms shouldn't decide what audiences see or how creators connect with their communities," said Chandra. "We believe decentralization offers a better path forward — one that puts power back in the hands of journalists and the public." Key Advantages of Portal Portal offers several critical advantages over traditional publishing platforms: Content Sovereignty: Contributors retain legal ownership of their work unless explicitly transferred, making it ideal for collaborative publishing projects Contributor Autonomy: Self-publishing or submission workflows can be customized without complex plugins Enhanced Transparency: Built-in support for edit history and transparent moderation, with admins able to set their preferred level of openness Decentralized Architecture: Content can be optionally stored on immutable, censorship-resistant platforms like Arweave Structured Governance: Tailored for collectives or movements where multiple editors, contributors, and policies need to coexist Seamless DME Integration: Native compatibility with the broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem for content syndication and sharing A Growing Movement Toward Independent Infrastructure The formation of the Independent Media Alliance reflects a broader movement among journalists, content creators, and activists seeking to build their own resilient infrastructure for communication and community-building. As centralized platforms face increased criticism over content moderation practices and political influence, the need for independent alternatives has become more urgent. Those close to the project describe it as an effort to foster transparency, protect editorial independence, and create a sustainable alternative to traditional media channels. "You're seeing a lot of established prominent creators increasingly launching their own micro-communities where they communicate directly with their audience separate from larger platforms," notes Chandra. "We're enabling a return closer to the diverse internet landscape of the past, where there were many different websites rather than just a few that everybody visits today." Supporters argue that the Independent Media Alliance could serve as a model for how journalism can adapt to the challenges of the digital era — leveraging decentralized tools to maintain freedom of expression and ensure that critical reporting continues to reach audiences worldwide. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the success of initiatives like the Independent Media Alliance may signal a turning point for how journalism organizes itself in a decentralized future — a future less dependent on corporate platforms and more rooted in direct relationships between creators and their communities. About the Independent Media Alliance The Independent Media Alliance (IMA) brings together several established independent journalists and media platforms, including: Whitney Webb - Investigative journalist and founder of Unlimited Hangout, known for in-depth reporting on intelligence agencies and global corporate networks Derrick Broze - Founder of The Conscious Resistance Network, investigative journalist, documentary film maker and advocate for decentralized media solutions Ryan Cristián - Founder of The Last American Vagabond, focusing on geopolitics, health freedom, and civil liberties The alliance aims to create a sustainable model for independent journalism through decentralized technology, direct audience relationships, and collaborative approaches to newsgathering and distribution. About Odysee Odysee is a Web3 video-sharing platform committed to free speech and creator sovereignty, serving over 15 million users worldwide. Founded and led by Julian Chandra, Odysee was acquired by Forward Research in 2024 to accelerate its mission of building a resilient, censorship-resistant media infrastructure. Through its integration with decentralized technologies like Arweave, Odysee strengthens its promise of content permanence, transparency, and user control. Developed by the Odysee team, Portal is a decentralized publishing system that enables anyone to launch their own website or media hub with full ownership and no intermediaries. Creators and communities can independently control how their content is published, discovered, and monetized---without relying on centralized platforms or algorithms. As part of Odysee's broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME), Portal empowers a new generation of independent media to thrive on their own terms.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Odysee Unveils 'Portal' with Independent Media Alliance as Flagship Partner for New Decentralized Publishing Platform
Led by Whitney Webb, Derrick Broze, and Ryan Cristián, the Independent Media Alliance will pioneer Odysee's revolutionary Portal technology in the emerging Decentralized Media Ecosystem NEW YORK, May 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Odysee announces Portal, a groundbreaking decentralized publishing platform that will transform how independent media operates online. The Independent Media Alliance (IMA) — featuring prominent voices Whitney Webb, Derrick Broze, and Ryan Cristián of The Last American Vagabond — will serve as the flagship partner, operating as the first major Portal within Odysee's broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME). Odysee Founder and CEO Julian Chandra states the IMA is intended to showcase how decentralized technologies can empower independent media to maintain direct relationships with their audiences, free from the editorial filters and algorithmic controls of centralized platforms. "Portal is about returning control to the creators," said Chandra. "The Independent Media Alliance shows how groups of journalists can build their own spaces, manage their own communities, and protect the integrity of their work without reliance on centralized platforms." A Response to Centralized Censorship The Independent Media Alliance emerges at a time of growing concern over censorship, deplatforming, and algorithmic suppression across major technology platforms. Many independent journalists argue that these dynamics restrict their ability to reach audiences, particularly on sensitive topics related to public health, foreign policy, and government accountability. Whitney Webb, an investigative journalist known for her reporting on intelligence agencies and global corporate networks, has consistently warned about the dangers of media consolidation. Through her platform Unlimited Hangout, Webb has produced long-form investigations that challenge dominant narratives and highlight underreported stories. "The online media landscape, despite the plummeting trust in mainstream media, has never been more weaponized and difficult to navigate," stated Webb. "By pooling our collective resources and creating some new resources, the goal is for this group of principled independent journalists and content creators, who have proven themselves over the past several years as willing to challenge official narratives even when difficult, to be able to withstand the increasing pressures of disseminating adversarial content in an increasingly adversarial social media landscape." Similarly, Derrick Broze, founder of The Conscious Resistance Network, has advocated for decentralized alternatives to mainstream platforms. "Together we have the power to maximize our reach and counter false solutions and narratives which are infecting the indie media and 'truth community'," Broze said in a recent public statement endorsing the IMA's mission. "We believe there has never been a more important time for independent, principled journalists and content creators to collaborate more than ever." The Last American Vagabond, led by Ryan Cristián, has gained a substantial following for its critical analysis of geopolitics, health freedom, and civil liberties. Cristián's work emphasizes the importance of transparency and the dangers of allowing centralized platforms to dictate the scope of public discourse. "At a time when objective, non-partisan media is under more attack than ever, and the two party illusion has never been more vulnerable, like the cornered animal it is, the system lashes out at those who try to change it," Cristián explains. "Whitney, Derrick and I decided to start this Independent Media Alliance to organize against this rising threat using objective, well-researched journalism and collaboration." The creation of the Independent Media Alliance represents a collective effort by these and other figures to reclaim control over their work and to engage directly with their audiences without external interference. The alliance will conduct regular panels and debates featuring members and guests, collaborative investigations, and content distribution through Portal to ensure it cannot be easily censored. Portal: A Decentralized Publishing Platform Portal, developed by the Odysee Team, is a decentralized publishing system designed to allow communities and organizations to manage their own spaces independently of traditional centralized platforms. Functionally similar to website-building tools but with significant advantages, Portal provides the technical infrastructure for creators to launch customizable websites in a decentralized environment where they retain full control. Rather than relying on external infrastructure, Portal users will be able to establish their own commenting systems, messaging functions, content moderation policies, monetization models, and customized site designs. The Independent Media Alliance will operate as one such Portal. By controlling the tools for community interaction, content hosting, and financial support, the IMA intends to minimize reliance on centralized intermediaries and maintain full editorial autonomy. The platform will serve as a key distribution channel for the alliance's collaborative investigations and content focused on countering narratives around the "false two-party paradigm, support for imperial wars, 5th Generation Warfare, and technocratic solutions to legitimate problems." The Odysee Team created Portal to offer organizations like the IMA a way to distribute and manage content without the risks of algorithmic suppression, deplatforming, or third-party moderation. Each Portal, including the IMA's, will function autonomously within the broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem. "Platforms shouldn't decide what audiences see or how creators connect with their communities," said Chandra. "We believe decentralization offers a better path forward — one that puts power back in the hands of journalists and the public." Key Advantages of Portal Portal offers several critical advantages over traditional publishing platforms: Content Sovereignty: Contributors retain legal ownership of their work unless explicitly transferred, making it ideal for collaborative publishing projects Contributor Autonomy: Self-publishing or submission workflows can be customized without complex plugins Enhanced Transparency: Built-in support for edit history and transparent moderation, with admins able to set their preferred level of openness Decentralized Architecture: Content can be optionally stored on immutable, censorship-resistant platforms like Arweave Structured Governance: Tailored for collectives or movements where multiple editors, contributors, and policies need to coexist Seamless DME Integration: Native compatibility with the broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem for content syndication and sharing A Growing Movement Toward Independent Infrastructure The formation of the Independent Media Alliance reflects a broader movement among journalists, content creators, and activists seeking to build their own resilient infrastructure for communication and community-building. As centralized platforms face increased criticism over content moderation practices and political influence, the need for independent alternatives has become more urgent. Those close to the project describe it as an effort to foster transparency, protect editorial independence, and create a sustainable alternative to traditional media channels. "You're seeing a lot of established prominent creators increasingly launching their own micro-communities where they communicate directly with their audience separate from larger platforms," notes Chandra. "We're enabling a return closer to the diverse internet landscape of the past, where there were many different websites rather than just a few that everybody visits today." Supporters argue that the Independent Media Alliance could serve as a model for how journalism can adapt to the challenges of the digital era — leveraging decentralized tools to maintain freedom of expression and ensure that critical reporting continues to reach audiences worldwide. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the success of initiatives like the Independent Media Alliance may signal a turning point for how journalism organizes itself in a decentralized future — a future less dependent on corporate platforms and more rooted in direct relationships between creators and their communities. About the Independent Media Alliance The Independent Media Alliance (IMA) brings together several established independent journalists and media platforms, including: Whitney Webb - Investigative journalist and founder of Unlimited Hangout, known for in-depth reporting on intelligence agencies and global corporate networks Derrick Broze - Founder of The Conscious Resistance Network, investigative journalist, documentary film maker and advocate for decentralized media solutions Ryan Cristián - Founder of The Last American Vagabond, focusing on geopolitics, health freedom, and civil liberties The alliance aims to create a sustainable model for independent journalism through decentralized technology, direct audience relationships, and collaborative approaches to newsgathering and distribution. About Odysee Odysee is a Web3 video-sharing platform committed to free speech and creator sovereignty, serving over 15 million users worldwide. Founded and led by Julian Chandra, Odysee was acquired by Forward Research in 2024 to accelerate its mission of building a resilient, censorship-resistant media infrastructure. Through its integration with decentralized technologies like Arweave, Odysee strengthens its promise of content permanence, transparency, and user control. Developed by the Odysee team, Portal is a decentralized publishing system that enables anyone to launch their own website or media hub with full ownership and no intermediaries. Creators and communities can independently control how their content is published, discovered, and monetized---without relying on centralized platforms or algorithms. As part of Odysee's broader Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME), Portal empowers a new generation of independent media to thrive on their own terms. View source version on Contacts Press Contact: contact@
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Exempt small hospitals from CEA: Indian Medical Association to government
Hyderabad: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana, on Tuesday requested the health department to exempt hospitals with less than 50 beds from the provisions of the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA), rationalise MBBS/PG seats and create more govt posts to end unemployment in the medical fraternity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a letter addressed to the health dept officials, IMA listed these and several other pressing issues faced by the medical community in the state, particularly the private practitioners and small and medium healthcare establishments. According to the IMA members, instances of violence against doctors were on the rise with inadequate legal protection. They requested an amendment to the law by increasing the imprisonment from three years to seven years, making it a non-bailable offence. The IMA also stated that the provisions of the CEA were adversely affecting small hospitals and clinics. They asked for an exemption for hospitals with fewer than 50 beds from CEA regulations, noting that states such as Haryana and Bihar provide such exemptions. According to the IMA, unemployment was prevailing in the medical fraternity due to an increase in medical colleges. They appealed to rationalise the intake of MBBS/PG seats and called for more govt job recruitments to fill the deficit. The association also urged the introduction of a single-window system for hospital registrations, renewals, and licences; exemption for medical establishments from the stay on trade licence enforcement; the formation of a health commission; and the need for legal and physical safety training for doctors and others.
