The Death Rattle of Journalism?: Uday Shankar calls for a radical overhaul

At a recent Editors Guild of India event, media veteran Uday Shankar, Co-founder, Bodhi Tree Systems, and Vice-Chairman, JioStar, delivered a stark and unsettling pronouncement: “Journalism as we know it is dead.” He argued that the industry's failure to adapt to the digital age has precipitated a crisis of relevance, credibility, and financial viability. His warnings about the looming threat of artificial intelligence and his urgent call for a radical overhaul have ignited a critical debate about the future of journalism in India.

“The Digital Disruption”: When Intermediaries Lost Their Power

Shankar opened with a damning critique of traditional journalism’s inability to evolve. He illustrated the past, where journalists were essential intermediaries, delivering experiences like a Lord’s cricket match to those who couldn’t be there. “The journalism of the past couldn’t keep up with the evolution of the world,” he stated, stressing, “There is no space for journalism of the past.” The internet’s arrival, he argued, fundamentally altered this dynamic. “Everybody who had a camera and internet in their phones became journalists,” he noted.

Instead of innovating, many newsrooms began mirroring consumer behaviour, relying heavily on social media platforms. “Intermediaries are no longer as powerful as they used to be because the technology has de-intermediate them,” Shankar emphasized, highlighting the loss of traditional journalistic power.

“The ‘Mahol’ Trap”: Sensationalism and Logistics Over Substance

Shankar then criticized the industry’s shift towards prioritizing logistics and sensationalism, coining the term “Mahol” journalism. “OB vans and satellite trucks had the most devastating impact on the idea of news journalism and news delivery,” he argued. This led to a situation where logistical managers held more sway than editors, and anchors were reduced to asking, “Toh ab bataiye ki mahol kya hai wahan?” (What is the situation there?). This emphasis on superficial coverage, he argued, had a cascading effect, with print media opting for television-based reporting over on-the-ground journalism.

“The Reach-Revenue Paradox”: Chasing Metrics at the Cost of Quality

The pursuit of advertising revenue, Shankar asserted, led to a dangerous obsession with reach and ratings. “Everybody started measuring reach,” he noted. “Advertisers don’t care about quality, they care about reach.” This focus on metrics, he argued, compromised journalistic integrity, with newsrooms prioritizing stories that would generate higher viewership. He further highlighted the internal dissonance regarding revenue, “Journalists have a funny habit: they all want good money but they don’t want to talk about money for the company.”

“Talent and Capital Deficits”: An Industry Under Strain

Shankar addressed the industry’s talent and capital crises. As India’s economy grew, better talent found opportunities elsewhere, leading to a decline in the quality of journalism. “Better talent draws in better talent, worst talent draws in worst talent,” he stated. He also highlighted the industry’s financial vulnerabilities, noting that “Indian news industry is the least capitalised industry.” Restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) further exacerbated these issues.

“The AI Imperative”: Innovation and Credibility as Lifelines

Looking ahead, Shankar warned of the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence. “Here is a train coming called AI, we have to decide whether we board it or get run over by it,” he cautioned. He urged journalists to embrace innovation, creating unique and valuable content. “We need to design a new content paradigm that people will find valuable,” he advised. Ultimately, he stressed the importance of credibility. “The best currency the media could hold is credibility, lack of credibility is killing the business.” Shankar concluded with a call to action, urging journalists to “take charge and innovate the content model, follow that with innovation through monetisation”.

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