Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday cautioned against tendencies like paid news existing in journalism in the country, saying media persons should be trained to fight such evils.

"Beware of wrong tendencies like paid news. Only journalists with social commitments could fight such tendencies," he said, adding, budding journalists should be treated in such a way.

"Journalists used to uphold values like honesty, sincerity and accuracy in olden times. Their personal interests did not get reflected in their writings", Vijayan said addressing the state conference of senior journalists forum in Kottayam.

The Chief Minister said his government would respond favourably towards the demands of veteran journalists such as timely payment of their pension dues.

Earlier in the day, addressing the conference, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Ramesh Chennithala criticised the growing tendencies of political leadership evading questions of journalists.

"Journalists are engaged in correcting the errors of government, political leadership and bureaucrats. Blaming them for asking unfavourable questions is not good," he said.