Summary:
Guwahati, Nov 16 (PTI) The importance of a credible media to hold those in power accountable to people, and the need for ensuring that causes of the masses are not pushed to the back by the growing influence of advertisers were stressed at the state-level National Press Day function in Assam on Tuesday.
The need for soul searching and regulations for the media to maintain its credibility and trust among its readers and viewers was also highlighted at the event organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the state government here.
The keynote speaker, Dr.
Chandan Kumar Sharma, professor of Sociology at Tezpur University, said trust is the most important tool for the media and society cannot afford for the media to lose its credibility.
He said the media’s role as a watchdog is always crucial to keep those in charge, whether they are elected representatives or people with power to impact and influence others, in check and hold them accountable if they fail to discharge their duties.
While journalists were viewed as social workers in the past, technological and economic factors have contributed to a change in this view regarding the profession, he said.