Media Ethics: Too personal
JAYA PRAKASH NARAYAN, President, Lok Satta Party: Moralising is not the way forward in case of news media. The decision to read a newspaper and watch a television channel lies with every individual. So, instead of moralising media it is better that we refrain from indulging with some sections of themedia. While Indian media has served us well, there is a lot more that they can and need to do. This is because media continues to be crucial for the country. NEERJA CHOWDHURY, Senior Journalist and Political Commentator: Indian news media has come a long way but it is going in a wrong direction. Accuracy and credibility are qualities that any journalist should imbibe. The role of media is to show the government a mirror—it can be right or wrongdoings of the people in authority. Whether it is government or media, both have their respective roles. The reverse role of media will divert the government from their primary responsibilities.
M K VENU, Founding Editor: The Wire: Instead of questioning media, the people in power and government should be questioned. Media should not embrace nationalist view. Today, if the media questions the government and its activities, it is tagged as anti-national. Populist nationalism is a trend that is not limited to India alone, but can be seen in other democratic countries as well.
SNEHASIS SUR, Senior Journalist, Doordarshan News: In journalism, ethics is important. In news media, ethics is above any form of hierarchy. Media is about creating public opinion.
PRASAD KULKARNI, President, PUWJ: The changing role of reporters from core responsibility of reporting to other activities has hit journalism. Today, the journalist has embraced the concept of multi-tasking and that has taken a toll. Now a good story has to face competition with paid news.
SATISH K SINGH, Group Editor-in-Chief, Broadcast Initiatives: In countries like the United States and United Kingdom, the publication and media houses inform their ideological inclination to the readers. This allows the reader to decide which side they would like to pick. India needs to follow that path. We need to be honest to our readers or viewers.
AMIT MANDLOI, Executive Editor, Dainik Bhaskar, Bhopal: Today, every media is questioned. You question those whom you trust. People still have some level of trust in media and we have to work towards listening to our readers and viewers. The more we listen to them, the more we will be able to bridge the gap between media and masses.