The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented the KCK International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism organized by Rajasthan Patrika in New Delhi today (March 20, 2017) and had warm words for Indian journalism.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the Indian journalism has had a long history in our country. It has been closely associated with our struggle for independence and social reforms. Journalists and journalism played an exemplary role in the social renaissance movement as well as the freedom struggle of the country. The history of Indian journalism has been that of progressive reform, social renaissance and anti-colonialism. Beginning with the ‘Samvad Kaumudi’ brought out by Raja Rammohun Roy in 1819 to ‘Samachar Chandrika’ and ‘Mirat-Ul-Akhbar’, the ‘Harijan and Young India edited by the Mahatma and later, through various other publications, the contribution of print journalism to an evolving Indian society and nationhood was immense.
The President said that print journalism has its own impact because journalists through their columns/ stories/ comments etc. find a permanent place in the minds of readers. He stated that media has expanded with increasing use of technology and the influence of social media has also increased over the years.
The President said that he was glad to have the opportunity of conferring the KCK International award for excellence for print journalism on the distinguished awardees. He hoped that this would inspire others to follow their path and wished them all success in their future endeavours.
While President was all praises for the Indian journalism, Indians actually think very low of it:
The 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that trust in Indian journalism has seen a very steep decline. Media is the least trusted institution in India, Australia, Ireland, Singapore, Turkey, UAE, UK and US.
A mere 43% of respondents of the people polled by Edelman Trust Barometer trusted the press which is a whole 5% down from 48% the year before.
The trust in the media is now at an all-time low in at least 17 of the 28 countries polled and India is certainly one of them.
But why is media becoming so untrustworthy? And why Indian government or politicians do not make the cut?
There are no clear answers but Richard Edelman, President of Edelman Trust Barometer makes it easier for us to understand. He said:
“People now view media as part of the elite.”
And that’s about it.
Don't trust anyone? You're not alone https://t.co/pREb3hVTXL #wef17 pic.twitter.com/zzA5pJkXm1
— World Economic Forum (@wef) January 16, 2017
