Mainstream media under attack by govt, liberals: Shekhar Gupta

Hyderabad: Mainstream media in the country is facing challenges as both governments in power and the liberals are trying to corner it and discredit it, felt, Shekhar Gupta, president of the Editors Guild of India.

Unperturbed by the challenges, the need of the hour is going back to classical and old-fashioned journalism that focussed on facts and leg work at the ground.

The noted journalist was invited to give a speech on 'Media freedom-challenges' on the occasion of 54th Foundation Day of Press Club, Hyderabad.

He said tougher times for the media are not confined to India alone, but seen across the world with leaders like Donald Trump, Vladmir Putin, Shinzo Abe, Benjamin Netanyahu etc. employing different tactics to pressurise and target the mainstream media.

Also, to cater to their loyalists and their bases, people in power started to have their own news channels and publications, considering the media industry requires an investment which is very less by their standards.

"US Donald Trump has Fox News to cover his governance and politics. Likewise, a Republic TV or Times Now stick to a line and telecast programmes that appeal to select viewers," Shekar Gupta, said.

He said the programmes being aired in evening prime slots on news channels (8 pm to 10 pm) are not news but entertainment-related where a viewer can see the panellist and easily guess what line and stand, he takes on any particular subject.

Coming to various States in the country, it's the Chief Ministers who are trying various methods to control the media and coverage in the form of government advertisement revenue, offering plum posts of government advisor to former and senior journalists etc.

And those who go against the government are targeted by stopping advertisements or foisting of police cases etc, he said.

As a journalist, it is very important that our wishes and voting preferences do not come in way of factual reporting and coverage.

"Each of us may have our own opinion. We might have voted for a particular party. But it should not come in the way of our duty which is essentially sticking to facts."

Also, there are times when people in power try to pressurise you and one should have a strong spine and thick skin not to feel deterred by such actions, he added.

Shekhar Gupta wanted present journalists to make effective use of digital technology and social media to have a large base of followers and audience because they can retain their own identity even if he or she was asked to quit the present job.

However, he wanted scribes to exercise caution and post content that is factual news and not indulge in gossips, not to show an inclination towards some and discriminating others etc.

Senior journalist K Ramachandramurthy, Press Club president Vijay Kumar Reddy, General Secretary Rajamouli Chari, Treasurer Suraj V Bharadwaj, Joint Secretary Chilukuri Hari Prasad, Executive Committee member Rajinikanth Veeragoni, N Uma Devi among others took part.