Prioritise truth over trends: Press Council of India chairperson Ranjana Desai
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI): Journalists should value accuracy more than speed and prioritise truth over trends, Press Council of India Chairperson Justice Ranjana Desai said on Sunday.
Addressing the National Press Day function here, Desai said that the press was facing several challenges and the most worrisome was the loss of press credibility.
"The arbitrary use of technology in mass communication has led to a growing spread of misinformation," she said, adding that the responsibility of journalists in such trying times has become more onerous.
"Their work does not end with reporting an event; it extends to verify facts, interpret them accurately and place them in perspective and not create news," Desai said at the function attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and PTI CEO Vijay Joshi, among others.
"Accuracy should be valued more than speed, and truth should be prioritised over trends," she said.
Desai said the Press Council of India has updated the Norms of Journalistic Conduct and called for greater care and responsibility in reporting.
She also urged the press to show restraint while writing on matters relating to religion or the armed forces, where even a minor inaccuracy can have serious consequences.
Desai said the Council also believed that financial independence was directly connected to upholding press credibility and has advised governments of states and Union territories to develop and implement group insurance schemes for journalists.
She urged journalists to remain alert and thoughtful to the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the field of journalism.
"Technology should help us find the truth, not twist or overshadow it. However advanced these tools may become, they can never replace the human mind – the judgment, conscience and sense of responsibility that guide every journalist to prevent the spread of misinformation," Desai said.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
