Profession in spotlight: Media

Media – print as well as television / online is a every evolving, highly competitive profession. Profession is a static word but being professional is continuous process – in a self-regulated profession where competition is immense, this becomes highly subjective. Today, in the wake of India-Pakistan tensions, “being professional” acquires more importance.

The trade-off between “being correct” and “being first” is what defines professionalism in media these days. This article enumerates a few things that I as a viewer would like to see.

Being neutral

Media classically is supposed to deliver facts and news as is. We have evolved over a period to have 24 x 7 news channels and the methodology applied is to over-analyse and take sides. Taking sides permanently may risk encountering dangers of a single side story. Viewership will be restricted to people who want to listen to that kind of reporting. Being neutral is classical news reporting.

Debates may not always be the best methods during prime time

Debates these days have a pattern – keep a theme which doesn’t need a debate at all – bring in couple of people who will take a contrary stand and they get bashed in high decibel debates. No one can hear anything nor can everyone express their opinion. These debates usually have so many participants that some may never really get a chance to speak. These kinds of debates do not add value to the viewer, certainly not at prime time.

Quote the sources whenever possible

Most of the times, in interest of a “breaking news” there are bits flashed without mentioning official source. The news items are pulled back with no remorse. As a viewer, we would like to listen to authentic news, fine if delayed but authentic. Fake / unconfirmed news cause more havoc.

Add the disclaimers

If unconfirmed news bits are shown, it is critical that a disclaimer be shown stating “this is not confirmed by official sources”.

Respect privacy

In most of the cases, the media forgets respecting privacy. In difficult times, the relatives are asked questions which have obvious answers. Things which are not to be revealed get revealed. Respecting privacy is important for everyone.

Don’t be arrogant and repetitive

“We are the first channel to break the story” saying this a million times is a big put off. In the information age, copying the same is a matter of minutes, why then irritate the viewers with those claims.

Decide what is right, at that moment itself

Most importantly, the channels should decide what is right at that moment with some sanity. We have seen ill-effects of being first in the past decade or so. The 2008 attacks were televised live, the information was reaching the terror handlers first hand. We still haven’t seen to have learnt the lessons. The recent stand-off between India and Pakistan has revealed it evidently.

We as citizens should also maintain restraint on social media lest we reveal things which are not supposed to be made public on a global platform.

In the recent past, I have fortunate to find a news channel which, for now at least ticks all the right boxes. WION – World Is One has been one of the most professional channels I have seen for a long time now.