Information Is Both A Right And A Responsibility
Media is no longer limited to the traditional forms of print, TV and radio, and digital media is ever-changing and ever-growing. The competition is no longer just a rival publisher or channel but also the online publisher housing user-generated content, across social media platforms and online portals. Some traditional media outlets have understood how to harness their experience and create their niche in the media space but those who don’t accept this or don’t adapt to emerging technologies are doomed to face an existential crisis.
The new realities
Today, information is both a right and a responsibility. In the age of one-click viral content, the responsibility of journalists is far greater than ever before. Respect comes to those organisations and journalists who have taken their credibility seriously and tell the truth and the whole story, instead of spreading spins and speculations. There is a thin line between business news and the news business. Ultimately the news consumer and news content is the judge. The line between the editor and the advertising team should not blur. The value of journalism comes from the value displayed while practising the profession not only on camera but also in gathering the facts behind the camera.
The whole world is looking at India at present. How we present ourselves will set the narrative of the future. How India responded to the crisis holds lessons for humanity like we have seen in Ukraine and during the pandemic. How India is pacing ahead with reforms and results on ground is the reason for an aspirational rising middle class and the youth that is ready to lead and no longer be led.
In the interest of India
How India rises is keenly watched by our competitors and admirers around the world. There are thousands of stories and unique aspects of change and transformation taking place in our towns and villages. How we communicate the emergence of India will determine how we are spoken to going forward.
The government has taken several initiatives in line with our belief that it is our responsibility to make the business of broadcast smooth and hassle-free. We launched the Broadcast Seva portal, heralding a new chapter in ease of doing business in the broadcast sector. Though for the last eight years we have seen the Modi government focus on the areas of ease of doing business and ease of living, these policy changes are also in this vein. The number of people now in the information broadcasting ministry, whom I would see often in the last nine months, has reduced. And it is our endeavour that in the coming months, most of the work is done through the Broadcast Seva portal, which should become the only platform to interact so that most issues are resolved digitally.
When I speak about India and the world, it is the media’s responsibility that it is not about media personalities or news institutions but India that holds the significance. India should be important for all of us. What we portray and project has to be in the interest of India.
As said by Anurag Singh Thakur in his address at ENBA 2022
