Original reporting key to regaining public trust in media: N. Ram

Former journalist and The Hindu Group Director N. Ram has emphasized the importance of fundamental journalism practices in regaining public trust. At a panel discussion on Sunday, Ram advocated for a return to ground reporting, investigative reporting, long-form articles and explanatory writing. He also proposed introducing media literacy in school curricula at the middle or secondary level to help students analyze news and information critically.

Ram stressed the necessity of transparent codes of conduct for journalists and independent self-regulation, suggesting these should be overseen by journalists and respected media personalities rather than serving editors or proprietors. He further recommended enacting legislation to support such codes and appointing a news ombudsman to uphold journalistic standards and restore public trust.

Ram highlighted the significance of investigative journalism, long-form writing, data reporting and explanatory reports in bolstering print media credibility. He expressed concern over the influence of media ownership on journalistic standards and advocated for reader-funded models of journalism, citing successful examples like Alt News and The Wire.

Panelist Pratik Sinha, co-founder and Editor of Alt News, also stressed the need to develop new economic models for journalism that involve both journalists and readers. Sinha emphasized the importance of using open-source software to run media organizations and cautioned against excessive reliance on large technology companies.

He suggested that readers should be educated on the value of print journalism by critically analyzing news articles published on major newspapers on new media platforms. Digital Desk Editor of The Siasat Daily, Syeda Faiza, noted that print media continues to provide in-depth and accurate information, an essential role in the digital age.

The discussion also covered the rise of misinformation and deliberate disinformation, particularly by vested interests, political organizations and communal groups. Participants expressed concerns over the low wages paid to media professionals and high fees for media training, both of which affect journalism quality and sustainability.