Media advised to focus on credibility, avoid sensationalism

Hyderabad, Nov 16 : The media, especially the electronic media, has been advised to focus on credibility of information than giving preference to sensationalism.

Addressing a seminar on “Role of media in serving public interest” organised by AP Press Academy here on Saturday, MLC P Nageshwar Rao said that the media organisation needs to introspect the quality and authenticity of news that was being published or broadcast by them. He said the media should convey the correct information to general public and not mislead them. He said some channels were resorting to sensationalisation of news in order to get TRPs. However, he said the race for TRPs was forcing the news channels to compromise on the credibility of information.

Nageshwar Rao cited some instances wherein stories were published or broadcast without having the basic understanding of the facts. He quoted different stories published by some newspapers wherein conflicting views were expressed with regard to presentation of Telangana Bill. Similarly, when he met with a minor accident, different news channels gave different versions in short time without even verifying the facts from him or the authorities.

Information and Public Relations Department Director Subhash Goud informed that the digitisation of newspapers for the last 50 years have been completed and it would serve as a major source of learning for the journalists across the globe, especially Andhra Pradesh. He advised the both working and non-working journalist to make use of digitised newspapers.

Chief Information Commissioner Jannat Hussain, Press Academy Chairman T Surender, Bar Council member Ramchander Rao, senior journalist Chakrapani and others also addressed the seminar. INN