Rethinking the standards of journalism

Until recent times, Indian journalism enjoyed its status as a vibrant media with more than 407 million newspaper readers, which is more than the population of any reasonably sized country. Over a million more cable viewers voraciously consume news in Hindi, English and dozens of regional languages. Freedom of expression is guaranteed by India’s Constitution, although there are some legal limitations. However, Indian media continues to be vigorous, and until now, journalists have always faced a limited number of constraints, consequently taking it upon themselves to become the voice of the country’s social and political sentiments.

But recently, there is a creeping silence spreading across India’s otherwise loud and lively journalists. The pressure appears to be more intense now. Journalists and media houses are feeling the sting and their rights are being profoundly shaken for not being in sync with the current Bharatiya Janata Party government’s ideologies.

Journalists have a responsibility to mirror a society’s needs and issues, comprehensively and proportionally. There are different depths of journalism and the journalists face constraints, including commercial pressures and deadlines that give little time to reflect on stories. But they can be less concerned about the consequences of their story once it is published for the readers, and the viewers’ thought processes are influenced, based on the information provided. There is an inherent educational role that journalists must assume.

To increase their ratings, India’s various media channels have resorted to all sorts of news, but having the government coming down hard on such excessive news is the first correct step. Certain regulations are the need of the hour. I hope this puts a limit on the violence and disharmony among the present population.

■ The reader is a freelance journalist and a resident of the UAE.