Speakers express concern over declining credibility of media and challenges facing democracy as Hindi journalism completes 200 years
Ranchi: Marking 200 years of Hindi journalism, the Ranchi unit of the Janwadi Lekhak Sangh (JALES) organized a seminar on the theme “Hindi Journalism: Today and Tomorrow” at Safdar Hashmi Auditorium. The event featured an in-depth discussion on the historical journey of Hindi journalism, its contribution to society, and the challenges confronting the media in contemporary times.
The program began with a condolence resolution on the demise of renowned Urdu poet Bashir Badr. Presenting the resolution, Kumar Brijendra described his passing as an irreparable loss to the literary world. He noted that Bashir Badr’s poetry promoted values of humanity, love, and communal harmony. Members of JALES paid tribute to the poet and recited several of his popular ghazals.
The keynote discussion featured senior journalists Faisal Anurag, Sudhir Pal, and Srinivas, who reflected on the 200-year history of Hindi journalism. They highlighted its significant role in India’s freedom movement, social awakening, and the strengthening of democratic values.
The speakers expressed concern over what they described as the growing influence of political power and corporate interests on sections of the media. They argued that many issues affecting ordinary citizens are increasingly being sidelined, raising questions about the media’s commitment to public interest and democratic accountability.
According to the speakers, people in several states continue to protest over basic issues such as water supply, electricity, education, healthcare, and employment, yet these concerns often fail to receive adequate coverage in mainstream media. As a result, they said, the public is not always exposed to the realities on the ground.
Participants also discussed the declining credibility of journalism and the erosion of public trust in media institutions. They stressed the need to uphold journalistic ethics, factual reporting, and a commitment to democratic values in order to restore confidence among readers and viewers.
Among those who shared their views during the seminar were Dayamani Barla, Basant Hetamsaria, Dr. Kiran, Dr. Alam Ara, Yasmeen Lal, Naresh Lal, Veena Srivastava, Kumar Brijendra, and Vicky Minz. Speakers emphasized that journalism is not merely a means of disseminating information but also an important instrument for social awareness and democratic strengthening.
The seminar was chaired by Kumar Brijendra and conducted by Aparajita Mishra. A large number of writers, journalists, social activists, and intellectuals attended the event, including Faisal Anurag, Sudhir Pal, Srinivas, Veena Srivastava, Yasmeen Lal, Nigar Sultana, Moiz Uddin Mirdaha, Chhotni Asur, Ali Ansari, Vipul Kachhap, Ramdhani Khadia, Kalam Khan, M.Z. Khan, and others.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by M.Z. Khan.
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