Interview with Anant Goenka, Executive Director of the Indian Express Group
What is the main ethical obligation of the press? Is it not to seek the truth, real facts, and present them as objectively as possible? However, facts alone are not the whole truth. Taking into account the facts, it is necessary to understand the context, connect the dots, discern patterns, and shape them into narratives that have a cause-and-effect sequence, using the highest ethical standards. Can we expect journalists and newspapers to do this? Shouldn’t we demand from them professional ethics, careful fact-checking, training in journalistic methodology, and unwavering commitment to the truth?
The classic role of journalists used to be to inform citizens, not entertain them. But today, the roles are no longer so clear. Journalism as a business, sensationalism, and fake news dangerously influence public opinion, and society is at risk of falling under the influence of inventions, which leads to a distorted perception of reality.
On behalf of the Indian branch of New Acropolis, Manjula Nan
NA: Journalism plays many important roles that influence society. Which one do you consider the most important?
ANANT GOENKA: To hold the powerful accountable, give voice to the voiceless, provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions, understand change, but above all, seek the truth, regardless of the cost. However, whenever we say If we want to respect the truth, the question that has been discussed and talked about for years is: “Whose truth?” For example, in any war, there are two truths. In the polarized world we live in, every freedom fighter is a terrorist to someone else. So, conflicting truths can exist. In practice, this means that the same event can have two completely different headlines, depending on the readership that the newspapers target.
It is truly a challenge to find a universal Truth. Can we objectively observe one incident or event from so many perspectives that it becomes the same headline for such diverse readership? That would be a great role and service to society. However, I also say that it has not happened yet, and perhaps it is not even possible. What is possible is to decide on a strong, unwavering commitment to impartiality and accuracy.
NA: What would be the challenge in achieving that? Economy?
ANANT: Yes, certainly economy is one of the challenges. If no one reads the newspapers, what’s the benefit of it? And that is the biggest problem of good and honest, objective journalism. You often become some kind of unwanted mail or some kind of academic journal that loses that engaged audience that you need to make it sustainable. If I don’t engage the audience, then what is the purpose of what I’m doing?
Let’s take the other extreme. What the major news channels transmit today is undoubtedly the prostitution of current events. And although I couldn’t sleep at night if I were to talk about such things, it is profitable because fear sells, blood sells, and emotions sell newspapers. However, it is expected that in a growing democracy, young and diverse like ours, there will be readers, audiences, citizens who will appreciate the truth in all its complexity enough to be willing to pay for it.
ANANT: Undoubtedly. But there are no newspapers for the entire society. There are several different newspapers, some more responsible, some less. Each reflects nta društva danas suočena. Mediji imaju ogroman utjecaj na oblikovanje javnog mišljenja i percepciju stvarnosti. Ako novine ne ispunjavaju svoju ulogu čuvara istine i objektivnog izvještavanja, postoji velika opasnost da društvo bude preplavljeno fantazijama, prijevarama i izmišljotinama.
Our profession is facing several challenges: we have become secluded in separate groups and micro groups, to the point where we no longer understand the bigger picture. In today’s digital world, we are raising a generation of experts who excel in their specific areas of interest. However, there are very few individuals who possess broad knowledge and a horizontal understanding of everything. This is a bold statement, and I’m not sure if I can truly prove it, but it is the feeling I have.
Another issue that seriously concerns me is the algorithmically selected news and current events. Regardless of how “responsibly” the algorithm is designed to include opposing viewpoints, we end up seeing so much content that aligns with our own worldview that we overlook everything else. And that is the reality. Every time we share an article, we do it because it resonates with our own beliefs, because we liked what we read, because we believe in it and want others to believe it too. So, whatever becomes viral, even if it’s completely untrue or sheer nonsense, the fact is that it spreads within our internal networks. tom. I always say that there is some truth in that virality.
So the challenge of good journalism is: can our story and investigation break those barriers and defeat those algorithms?
NA: Yes, it is extremely frustrating to know that you consume all that information, but you don’t have the ability to judge whether it is true or not. Even if you read carefully, with caution, it happens that you get indoctrinated when you read it for a longer period of time. So, in this digital age of citizen journalism, where everyone is their own editor and the one who manages the spread of information, what are the responsibilities of citizens?
ANANT: I think readers must be very aware of that. When they share news, when they read news, they must make an extra effort to step out of the programmed news content and seek other perspectives.
NA: But that won’t happen on its own. What can the journalism profession do to educate the public and foster the professionalism and integrity that journalism must provide?
ANANT: I think it’s happening. Already. There is a strong awareness of fake news. People realize that they can’t believe everything they read on WhatsApp. Then you have platforms like Google and Facebook that invest in the idea of educating readers about credible sources. I worked with Google and Facebook on what they call “The Trust Project” ( https://thetrustproject.org/trusted-journalism/ ), which puts a blue checkmark on verified articles. So, if an anonymous user publishes an article, at least the reader is informed that there is no one claiming ownership of that content and that the article could be motivated. There are prime-time TV shows that deal with news that has gone viral, but they separate what is truly true from what is false.
As a parent, I also believe that with the development of critical thinking skills, such as being open to accepting different opinions, we need to start early – on the playground and later in school. I think this isn’t easy, but the effort is worthwhile. Although, I believe that in the end it is your responsibility to decide what kind of journalism you want to follow.
NA: Journalism as a profession is losing credibility due to accusations of bias and bribery. The journalism profession does not have a universal ethical code like doctors and lawyers are obligated to follow. How do you ensure that your reporters adhere to the high standards we have discussed?
ANANT: No, we do not have an institutional oath. It truly depends on each organization. However, at Indian Express, we have a six-month training program where honesty, integrity, and ethics are given prominence. The intention behind our ethical code is to find the truth, accurately determine the facts, and explore all sides of the story. Call out whoever needs to be held accountable, allowing enough time (usually 48 hours) for the person to respond. Avoid sensationalism. Be impartial. The idea is not to humiliate someone. The idea is to present the facts. And then it is the job of the government apparatus, police, and regulatory bodies to take appropriate action. They are disappointed and expect higher standards from newspapers than the majority. They have no other options but to come to journalistic institutions like us. Express’s growth of print and digital products in the last eight years is a highly encouraging testimony of this trend. This is what makes us diligent and motivates us to work even more dedicated, initiating a cycle of virtue. At least I hope it is so.