Abstract
India’s media landscape is undergoing profound shifts, marked by technological disruption, market pressures, and growing public cynicism. At the heart of this transformation is a fundamental trust deficit between news producers and their audiences. This discussion paper, grounded in insights from a recent panel discussion featuring senior journalists Rajdeep Sardesai, Sanjoy Majumdar, Ritu Kapur, and Prof. Kishalay Bhattacharjee, explores the erosion and restoration of trust in journalism. It interrogates the structural, editorial, and cultural challenges facing Indian media today, while offering a roadmap for rebuilding credibility through grounded storytelling, diversity, editorial courage, and financial sustainability.
Introduction: A Moment of Reckoning
Once hailed as vibrant and diverse, India’s media ecosystem is now grappling with an existential question: can it still be trusted? The erosion of trust is visible across platforms, from television’s descent into spectacle to digital media’s struggle for authenticity amid algorithmic pressures. Reflecting on this crisis, Rajdeep Sardesai insisted that despite being in the “belly of the beast,” he hasn’t signed off on journalism’s obituary yet. His statement underscores a grim reality and a flicker of hope: journalism is under siege, but not yet dead.
Sanjoy Majumdar emphasized this disconnect further. He noted that many journalists today have “locked up journalism somewhere,” forgetting that real stories don’t live in studios or newsrooms but within communities. In a digital age burdened by financial constraints and algorithmic manipulation, he argued that the key is remembering who journalism is for: the people.
I. Diagnosing the Trust Deficit
The trust deficit in journalism stems from multiple, overlapping crises. According to Sardesai, today’s media environment is caught in a “perfect storm” comprising:
- Hyper-polarization: Journalistic narratives are often shaped by ideological divides, making neutrality difficult and trust elusive.
News commodification: With journalism reduced to a product for consumption, sensationalism trumps substance.
Technological disruption: Algorithms distort editorial priorities by incentivizing clickbait and virality.
Speed over accuracy: The 24/7 news cycle fosters an environment where being first often outweighs being right.
Political and state pressure: Increasing authoritarianism challenges editorial independence.
Ritu Kapur offered a sobering reality check. Many young people entering journalism today aspire to become influencers, not reporters. This shift, driven by financial insecurity and visibility concerns, has blurred the line between journalism and content creation. She says, “We must ask ourselves whose trust are we seeking?”
II. Realigning Journalism With Its Audience
Sanjoy Majumdar’s remarks brought the conversation back to basics, i.e., journalism’s purpose is to serve its audience, not cater to power centers or tech platforms. He pointed out that:
Journalism has migrated from communities to studios.
Despite digital disruption, many independent publishers continue to do remarkable work by telling stories that matter.
Financial and algorithmic pressures are real, but social media has democratized visibility.
Majumdar insisted that the best journalism in India today is done by those who step outside metropolitan studios and into the lived realities of common citizens. He argued that journalism’s role is to represent those voices, not mirror elite narratives. He said, “We must remind ourselves who we are making news for. We’re not making it for ourselves.”
III. Three Tyrannies: Past and Present
Sardesai offered a historical framing of the forces undermining journalism’s credibility:
The 1990s: The tyranny of government censorship (e.g., Doordarshan vetting content).
The 2000s: The tyranny of market forces and TRPs.
Today: The tyranny of algorithms that distort editorial judgment.
Rebuilding trust requires challenging all three tyrannies through editorial transparency, public accountability, and deeper engagement with underrepresented communities.
IV. Rebuilding Trust: The Pillars of Credibility
Prof. Kishalay Bhattacharjee argued that despite growing cynicism, journalism continues to attract passionate young minds. However, passion alone cannot sustain a profession plagued by low pay and a lack of diversity. Trust can only be rebuilt by investing in:
Decent pay structures: Journalists deserve financial dignity.
Inclusive newsrooms: Without diversity, storytelling lacks nuance and authenticity.
Prof. Bhattacharjee emphasized that journalism must become a viable, respectful career for people from all sections of society. Otherwise, we risk further narrowing the spectrum of voices that shape public discourse.
V. Journalism Beyond Primetime
The panel collectively stressed that credible journalism thrives not in loud primetime debates but in quieter, often unnoticed spaces:
Fact-based reporting in polarised environments: Balanced reporting often invites criticism from both ideological extremes, but that’s a sign of credibility.
Myth of a monolithic audience: The belief that “only drama sells” is flawed. There is an appetite for substantive journalism on education, employment, innovation, and daily life.
Fatigue with conflict-driven narratives: Over-coverage of issues like the Pulwama attack reflects a systemic addiction to conflict. But there’s growing demand for constructive storytelling.
VI. Lessons from the Field: Fixing Newsrooms and Narratives
The discussion highlighted a few models that are defying conventional newsroom practices:
The Quint’s Editorial Reset:
- The platform dismantled its SEO and clickbait strategy.
Prioritized ground reporting and in-depth coverage.
Outcome: Greater audience engagement and trust.
“Less is More”:
Fewer stories, done with depth and integrity, often outperform high-volume, low-impact content.
Relevance over Reach:
Avoid sensationalism and lean into stories that affect lives, even if they don’t trend online.
Geographic Bias in Coverage:
Regions like Manipur remain underreported due to low commercial interest.
“Tyranny of distance” must be overcome through collaboration with local journalists.
VII. Structural and Financial Challenges
The crisis isn’t just editorial, it’s structural:
Revenue Model Collapse:
Print collapsed under unsustainable pricing (e.g., ₹2 newspapers).
Television media is 95 percent dependent on ads.
Digital is at risk of becoming another ad-driven echo chamber.
Subscription as a Solution:
India lacks a culture of paying for credible news.
Without reader support, sustainable journalism remains an uphill task.
Creative Pause:
Echoing filmmaker Gulzar, the panel called for a pause, a deliberate moment of reflection to restore values and rethink models.
VIII. Legacy Media: Part of the Problem or the Solution?
While digital platforms are gaining ground, legacy media houses still wield immense influence. Their role in either perpetuating or solving the trust crisis cannot be ignored:
From Editors to Managers:
Editorial leadership is often based on political proximity, not journalistic integrity.
Partnerships with Independents:
Institutions like BBC Marathi and Lallantop exemplify how traditional and new media coalesce effectively.
Narrative Control:
The media’s growing use of military and governmental jargon reflects a loss of independent language and, by extension, perspective.
Conclusion: A Call for Editorial Courage
The session did not end in despair, but with guarded optimism. Journalism is in crisis, yes, but the crisis is not irreversible. Restoring trust in journalism is a collective task requiring:
Courageous editorial leadership that resists political and market pressures.
Financial investment in people and storytelling.
Diversity that reflects India’s full complexity.
Public support through subscriptions, engagement, and trust.
As Rajdeep Sardesai reminded the audience, journalism may be under attack, but real, credible stories are still being told and making an impact. The future of journalism lies not in amplifying noise but in deepening our connection with the truths that matter.
