Former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , N. Ram, has said the attitude of denial in the changing face of journalism will be disastrous for reporters, particularly those belonging to the print media.
Speaking at the launch of ‘10TV’, a 24-hour Telugu news channel here on Saturday, he said though the print and television media in the country were in the growth mode, there had been a slowdown in recent years for obvious reasons such as the entry of digital media.
Old news media such as radio and newspapers are on the decline as fewer people are reading newspapers and listening to the radio, Mr. Ram said. At the same time, more and more people are accessing news from digital media, though there is no established business model for digital content.
One needs to embrace digital/internet journalism as newer technologies are being unveiled, he said. It can bring good revenues, growth and audience. Developed countries are desperate for digital news business already. It might take a few more years for countries like India to reach that stage. However, the trend will overtake us in the near future. Digital journalism can provide good dividends for the future, he added.
Stating that editorialising news was the major problem in Indian journalism today, Mr. Ram suggested restraint on allowing prejudice and subjectivity into news. At the same time, mere presentation of news itself is not enough, but analysis and comment should also be provided to readers/viewers separately, he explained.
Among others who spoke were ‘10TV’ Chairman K. Nageshwar, political leaders T. Devender Goud (TDP), T. Harish Rao (TRS), B.V. Raghavulu CPI (M) and Jayaprakash Narayan (LSP).
