Veteran journalists express their concerns about ‘paid news’ at a panel discussion

“India needs to have some strong media watchdog, which will not interfere with journalistic freedom but must come down heavily on paid news,” said Geeta Seshu, a veteran journalist  She was speaking at a panel discussion organised by Moneylife Foundation on paid news, following a screening of the movie ‘Brokering News’, directed by Umesh Agarwal, which deals with the subject.

Smruti Koppikkar, associate editor (West) and bureau chief at Outlook, pointed out that disclosures of reporters or media houses holding stakes in companies or earning favours from politicians is not feasible regularly in the long run. She also said, “The problem is also that people do not want to pay for the news that they read.”

Dnyanada Deshpande, who had worked as an editor for television channel IBN Lokmat talked about the nexus between regional media publications and politicians; and also about the awards given to individuals by media houses. “If a media house manages to get some very credible people on their jury or as awardees; they legitimise their stand. People then stop questioning their content. Awards are more about who give them than who receive them.

  Ranjona Banerji, eminent journalist, said, “Somewhere, media house management also needs to be held accountable and be made to introspect—because they force in a lot of content. And one must be wary of correspondents who double up as advertising agents for corporates or political parties.”

The panel discussion ended with a lively interaction with the audience which comprised many journalists and social activists, and ended in applause.