Ansari releases book 'Journalism - Ethics and Responsibilities'

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari released a book entitled "Journalism - Ethics and Responsiblities" edited by senior journalist Seema Mustafa at a function here today.

Addressing on the occasion, he said the publication of the book is timely and puts the search light on a contemporary issue of great relevance.

"It's central concern is summed up in a sentence that I chanced upon while scanning the newspapers this morning," Ansari said:

"Journalism, a great profession, has fallen upon disrepute because media houses have moved away from the serious business of news gathering into the world of power, advertisement, glamour, mega-festivals, as editors and anchors acquire celebrity status."

Ansari said: " All in all, this is a volume which compels thinking. Some lessons could be drawn from the Leveson Report and its recommendation. Seven times in the past seventy years, media practices have been enquired into by a Royal Commission in the UK. Lest it be said that we are less transparent, a more candid assessment would be in order."

The Vice President said that a corrective means self corrective and if internal discipline is not maintained, external corrective may be considered.

He congratulated Mustafa, the publisher and contributors of articles for such a valuable book.

In this book, senior journalists and eminent persons known for their professionalism and integrity examine the multi-dimensional role of the media, the problems and challenges it is facing, and through this introspection suggest solutions that could help restore the credibility of the media.

The essays point towards the challenges of increasing corporatization that has turned journalism into a big industry with sensationalism and paid news emerging as major problems.