Right Kind Of Content Can Revive The Face Of Journalism

Media plays a primary role in supporting and developing participatory democracy. 

Today is a time of making an impact as the media industry is witnessing dynamic changes. “The rise of regional languages is booming whereas English is also getting its due relevance,” said Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor, India Today at the e4m NewsNext Summit 2023 held at Radisson Noida on Sunday. 

Society is moving towards increasingly digital, mobile, and convenient ways of consuming information. In the early 2000s, from about 4-5 news channels running 24*7 to about 397 registered news channels, the media environment has given rise to intense competition. There is an appetite for TRP (Television Rating Point) and continuous attention from the audiences. The increase in competitors has led to a shrink in revenue in the advertising market. 

TV Industry is hindering the face of truth by perpetuating misinformation and polarising narratives. It has also taken the path of infotainment rather than Information. They are not offering news or information but focused on offering drama. We move from one story to another without reflecting on the impact of that story. “ TV news in ICU because of our own failures”, said Sardesai. 

The current scenario of journalism can be understood from the lens of Harry Frankfurt. In his book, On Bullshit, Frankfurt distinguishes between lying and bullshitting, claiming that a liar purposefully distorts the truth, whereas a bullshitter is more concerned with forwarding an image or an agenda rather than accuracy. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are. 

It is time for the television industry to get the wake-up call to assess their power and reality. TV influence is still making an impact in people’s lives bringing positive change. Journalism rises to put India on the path of betterment. It is not a medium to propagate fictional stories, hate, and anti-social objectives. 

“People are spreading rivalry in the name of journalism rather than uniting and building bridges. Content is an important aspect in reviving the face of journalism. It is not the crises of content but the crises of the right kind of content that are having the right kind of impact,” highlighted Sardesai on the need to discover the right frame of showing content.

News channels emerged as a reliable, affordable, and popular source of information in the Indian market.TV news remains a tremendously appealing reach builder for advertising. And for audiences, live sports and news are still feasible direct TV attractions. TV news is still one of the most impactful mediums particularly when there is a big story, emphasised Sardesai while talking about the future of the TV industry.