A gathering of senior journalists underlined the “challenges and prospects” of the media in India while highlighting the changes technology has brought in the field of information sharing. The stalwarts were speaking at a day-long “National Media Conclave” organised by the Manav Rachna International University on Tuesday.

Chairman of Prasar Bharti Dr A Surya Prakash — the guest of honour on the occasion — cited an example of campaign run by the Prasar Bharti on polio till India was declared free from it and he stressed on the need “to take forward the initiatives of Swachchh Bharat campaign”.

Speaking on the occasion in his keynote address, Dr Prakash said,”We live in an age where there is free flow of information and a free environment for dissemination of news. In recent times, while people have acquired the economic strength to buy newspapers and there are over 160 million households with TV sets, a new segment of new age users has emerged who consume news through their smartphones. In such a scenario, there is an urgent need to exercise self regulation and not give in to whimsicality, anger and hatred in the use of social media. It is a known fact that the mobile phone has become a critical instrument as a carrier of news. As for the future, digital literacy which can arm users with new skill sets, can fast track India’s growth story.”

While he batted for “self regulation”, the Editor of The Pioneer, Dr Chandan Mitra, said sometimes regulation becomes “unavoidable” in times of crisis caused by rumours.

“We have to talk of the challenges in country like India. In abroad, the US, France and the UK there have been grave issues of race crisis but the media has behaved in a sober manner by doing self regulation. In India, due to the culture of competition and race over things like TRPS in TV channels, sensationalism, the media does not even listen to Governments. This country which is still nurturing issues...the regulation is imperative at times. People may disagree with me but I think the first responsibility of the media is to nation and society. Doing good to the nation and society should be the primary concern of the media,” Dr. Mitra said. 

Encouraging the young media students for a bright future in the media industry, Dr Mitra said the “newspaper” will continue to be in demand and now there is the platform for TV, newspapers and new media open for them.

“The media has had to face the incursion of technology which has progressed phenomenally over the years. However, traditional forms of media have greater credibility since the primary job of the Editor has always been to filter the news, give it a proper orientation and analysis and ensure that it does not become inflammatory. In this day and age, technology has to be used with maturity and not with a view to sensationalising news. The media has to be seen in a transformative role and inculcate the spirit of enquiry so that our youth receive the right kind of education. Today, the media acts as a catalyst and plays a major role in transforming information into knowledge. Print is the most credible among the different forms of the media and this credibility will continue right into the future,” he added.

The conclave had three-panel discussion presided by media personalities, including the Strategic and Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu’s Suhasini Haider, TV commentator and former Guardian correspondent Ajoy Bose and Editor firspost.com Buddhavarapu Venkateswar Rao. 

They raised the pitch for “fearless” journalism.