Press Clubs Need Proactive Role in Restoring Public Trust, Says N Ram at National Conclave

Eminent journalist and Director of The Hindu Group, N Ram, stated that press clubs across the country must play a proactive role in restoring public trust in the media. Speaking at the National Conclave of the Federation of Press Clubs in Hyderabad on Saturday, Ram noted that the erosion of public trust and growing threats to media freedom are two interconnected challenges facing modern journalism.

According to Ram, while political propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation on social media largely drive the trust deficit, certain sections of the media have also contributed through sensationalism, inadequate verification, communal rhetoric, invisible or reluctant corrections, and excessive proximity to political and corporate interests. He remarked that when journalism becomes indistinguishable from political propaganda, public trust inevitably suffers.

Addressing the threats to media freedom, Ram observed that coercive tactics against journalists are not limited to any single political party or government, with state governments across different political affiliations resorting to criminal cases, police action, and attempted arrests. He suggested that the Federation of Press Clubs could establish a national network to respond quickly whenever journalists face threats. Additionally, he noted that senior advocate and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal has offered pro-bono services, leadership, and financial support for establishing an independent foundation dedicated to the legal protection of journalists.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who attended the launch of the Federation of Press Clubs logo along with Ram, called for a strong and independent media. He stated that the role of journalism in a democracy is to hold authority to account and make those in power explain themselves. He added that governments and journalists are not expected to agree all the time, and that publications historically helped shape public opinion during the colonial period.

Other speakers at the event included Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, President of the Press Club of India, and Ananth Nath, Editor of Caravan. They emphasized that a collective voice against attacks on journalistic freedom would strengthen fair journalism and support affected parties. Gautam Lahiri, Chairman of the Federation, and K. Srinivas Reddy, Telangana Media Academy Chairman, were also present at the conference organized by the Hyderabad Press Club.

"Maintaining public trust and editorial independence is critical for any sustainable media institution. As media organizations scale and operate in complex regulatory and political environments, upholding professional ethics and rigorous verification standards remains paramount for long-term credibility and institutional resilience." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes