GUWAHATI: On the occasion of National Press Day, Padma Shri awardee and noted author Arup Kumar Dutta on Saturday, November 16 called for a serious examination of the state of mass media in India, stressing the need for introspection over celebration.
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Delivering a lecture on "Changing Dynamics of Mass Media: Freedom and Credibility" at an event organized by the Gauhati Press Club, Dutta outlined how the media's credibility has been affected by changing ownership patterns, shifting journalistic priorities, and evolving audience expectations. He noted that financial pressures and the advent of new media technologies have further complicated the situation.
Speaking to the media, Dutta highlighted how electronic media disrupted traditional print journalism, while the rise of the internet and social media is now reshaping electronic media itself. These shifts, he said, have diluted the media’s role as an independent watchdog of society.
He urged readers and viewers to play a more active role in holding media organizations accountable, emphasizing that media credibility is not just the responsibility of journalists but also of the audience. "Regaining lost trust requires a collective effort," Dutta remarked.
Senior journalists and members of the press attended the event, which was organized to mark National Press Day.
The gathering concluded with a shared resolve among attendees to uphold the principles of ethical journalism and strengthen the bond between the press and the public.
