The new generation entering the field of Journalism is not being taught to be responsible journalists and also denied the opportunity to present their point of view which is detrimental to their growth in the profession, says Nilesh Khare, Business Head and Editor-in Chief, Zee 24 Taas.

Speaking to Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now, in an episode of ‘Masterminds: Masterclass on Journalism’ held by the public policy and governance analysis platform last week, Khare said, “We are not teaching new generation entering the field of journalism to have social and civic responsibility and only teaching them how to sell news. This is emerging to be a huge problem.”

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Khare added that earlier editors gave opportunity to reporters to give their views but “nowadays if an expert opinion or a point of view is required they invite experts. This is demotivating young journalists entering the field today who are unable to give their point of view and grow in the profession.”

He underlined that it is very important to recognize individual skills of young journalists while also adding that new entrants in the field of television news must harness their technical skills and understand technology.     

While speaking on the changing definition of news when news channels have become more of entertainment channels, the senior journalist said with ushering in of technology, internet, mobile phones and availability of different platforms over the years, viewers are spending less time to watch news channels. To present news properly it is important to understand that psychology of viewers has changed. Because viewers have very short attention span and want quick information so ‘Speed News’ is successful.

“As viewers want both entertainment and information news is being provided as info-entertainment. This is the need of the hour and not done for TRPs. Though viewers are mature they are not able to accept news as it is and want to watch it in 30 seconds for which you need to do gimmicks and that is what is happening in media today. Despite this you can do good journalism and still get required TRPs. Television now has to think beyond digital and create content accordingly else it will be worse off than print which unlike television has a long history,” he said.