Keralam CM Satheesan says social media trends, ‘ratings race’ threaten journalistic credibility

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday cautioned that the growing influence of social media trends and the race for ratings were undermining the credibility of journalism in the State.

Inaugurating the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, he said established mainstream media organisations, despite their rich traditions and heritage, were increasingly following trends set by social media, where anyone could publish anything.

He described the growing influence of social media on mainstream journalism as one of the biggest challenges facing the media sector.

Recalling a time when print media was the primary source of news, Mr. Satheesan said newspapers had then maintained a certain degree of restraint, but the emergence of visual media had ushered in intense competition.

‘Baseless stories’

“In the race to increase ratings, baseless stories are being created out of thin air,” he said, adding that some media organisations had undermined the credibility of journalists as well as the institutions they represented.

Describing credibility as journalism’s most important asset, he said it was easy to lose but difficult to regain.

He said print media organisations had earlier followed the practice of publishing apologies in the editor’s name when errors occurred, but this tradition was now being abandoned.

In visual media, even when an incorrect report was withdrawn, it continued to remain available, he said.

Mr. Satheesan said criticism of people holding important positions was a natural and necessary part of journalism.

“I should also be criticised. The media should point out my mistakes and prompt me to correct them,” he said.

However, he said such criticism would be meaningful and attract public attention only if it was based on facts and relevant issues.

The Chief Minister emphasised that readers and viewers had rights that needed to be protected, just as media organisations had theirs.

He said senior journalists and media organisations had a responsibility to identify, call out and correct unhealthy trends in the media sector.