Media’s Real Job? Being Truth-Tellers When Lies Spread Like Wildfire, Say Shimla Speakers
At National Press Day event, journalists and officials grapple with fake news epidemic threatening public trust
At the State-level function marking National Press Day, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani highlighted the press as both a guardian of freedom and a pillar of responsibility in society. He stressed that transparency in journalism is vital to keeping democracy vibrant, adding that the media’s role is to amplify public concerns and give voice to the underprivileged.
Dharmani cautioned that in today’s digital era, the media faces unprecedented challenges. With technologies like AI and deepfakes, misinformation spreads faster than ever, blurring the line between truth and falsehood. “The media plays a vital role in shaping the nation and society,” he said, urging journalists to remain vigilant.
He also noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government has rolled out several welfare schemes. The media, he said, has a responsibility to ensure these initiatives reach the people so they can benefit fully.
Media as a Bridge
Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, echoed the sentiment, describing the press as a bridge between the government and the public. He emphasized that fact-based reporting and introspection are essential to maintaining credibility, and that the media must balance dissemination of welfare programs with conveying public feedback to the administration.
Journalism in Transition
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Himachal Pradesh University, presented views on “Safeguarding Press Credibility Amidst Rising Misinformation.” Speakers warned that the race for breaking news has eroded trust, while social media has reshaped journalism worldwide. They pointed to global campaigns promoting “slow news” — prioritizing accuracy and depth over speed and TRPs — and called for renewed focus on investigative journalism.
Voices from the Field
Ravindra Makhaik, Chief Editor of Hillpost, said the theme of safeguarding credibility captures the essence of today’s challenge. He warned that “information wars” and the weaponization of fake news have become threats to society, urging journalists to uphold values and verify facts before publishing.
Other journalists stressed that asking tough questions in the public interest is central to journalism. They cautioned against hidden agendas and emphasized impartiality, fairness, and presenting both sides of a story to strengthen credibility. A senior journalist added that character building is as important as press credibility, urging reporters to speak fearlessly and without bias.
Honouring the Occasion
Rajiv Kumar, Director of Information and Public Relations, welcomed guests and honored speakers, congratulating media professionals on National Press Day. The event also saw participation from the Regional President of All India Radio, Shimla, representatives of media organizations, and students from Himachal Pradesh University’s journalism department.
