Dr. Sindhu Manjesh delivers PP Gomathi Memorial Education Trust’s annual lecture
Says media houses should be critically questioned to restore principles of journalism in India
Mangaluru: The PP Gomathi Memorial Education Trust, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism at University College Mangaluru, recently hosted its annual lecture at the Ravindra Kalabhavana in the city. The guest for the event was Dr. Sindhu Manjesh, an award-winning journalist, Fullbright Humphrey Fellow, and former Lecturer at the University of Maine.
The lecture, titled "News Media in India: A Health Report, with Special Focus on Prognosis," delved into the current state of the media landscape in the country. Dr. Sindhu Manjesh, known for her insightful analysis and extensive experience in the field, provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the Indian news media.
Addressing a diverse audience of students, faculty, and media professionals, Dr. Manjesh critically examined various aspects of the industry, from ethical considerations to technological advancements shaping the media narrative. The special focus on prognosis offered a forward-looking perspective, exploring potential trends and future scenarios for the news media in India.
Dr. Sindhu Manjesh highlighted a fundamental aspect of media's role by emphasizing that it doesn't create knowledge but rather serves as a conduit for sharing existing knowledge. In her perspective, she pointed out that news, a crucial component of media, acts as a vehicle for disseminating information that already exists in society. The news, she explained, plays a pivotal role in influencing public opinions on various matters, which, in turn, can significantly impact decisions such as voting.
Dr. Sindhu Manjesh further presented perspective on journalism, emphasizing its dual nature involving both a profit-oriented aspect and a crucial social responsibility. According to her, journalism extends beyond being a mere business; it carries a distinct social role that should not be compromised, even as media outlets operate as private enterprises.
In her view, journalism is more than a profit-driven profession; it is a service to society. While acknowledging the financial viability and sustainability of media outlets, she spoke about the importance of maintaining a balance between the business aspect and the inherent social responsibility of journalism. The idea is that journalists and media houses, as social institutions, have a duty to serve the public interest by providing accurate, unbiased information that contributes to an informed and engaged citizenry.
Dr. Sindhu Manjesh shed light on the critical distinction between public interest journalism and journalism driven by private sector interests. She drew attention to the concerning trend of declining public interest journalism over recent years and its implications for the news landscape. Her observations centered on the potential consequences when media houses, traditionally seen as platforms for public service and information dissemination, are primarily run by businessmen.
Dr. Manjesh highlighted the diminishing focus on public interest journalism, where media outlets traditionally played a vital role in informing the public about issues that matter to society at large. The decline of this form of journalism could result in a shift away from a broader, more balanced representation of news that serves the interests and concerns of the public.
“The observed trend toward more bias in news reporting was attributed to the decline of public interest journalism. When media outlets prioritize private interests over public service, there is a risk of presenting news through a particular lens, potentially leading to biased reporting. This shift could impact the diversity of perspectives and the depth of information available to the public,” she said.
Dr. Manjesh pointed out a specific challenge when a small number of businessmen or entities own a significant portion of media houses. This concentration of ownership can limit the diversity of voices and perspectives in the media landscape, potentially leading to a homogenized narrative that aligns with the interests of the owners.
She emphasized the crucial role of media consumers in understanding the potential agenda of media houses before consuming news. Her insights touched upon the concerning trend of eroding press freedom in India, with journalists and media outlets facing legal actions using laws initially intended for addressing more severe threats like terrorism, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Additionally, she referred to the declining position of India in the Press Freedom Index, reflecting challenges to journalistic freedom.
She also underscored the critical issue of passive news consumption without due diligence in her discussion. Her perspective revolved around the challenges posed by individuals who consume news without critically questioning the information presented, leading to the reinforcement of pre-existing ideological biases.
She also highlighted the tendency of individuals to consume news that aligns with their existing ideological beliefs without critically evaluating the information. She also called for media consumers to question the credibility of the sources they rely on. By asking critical questions about the reliability, biases, and motivations of media outlets. Dr. Manjesh also advocated for the practice of fact-checking as an essential step in the news consumption process. Encouraging individuals to verify information from multiple sources.
She also pointed out the evolving dynamics of media credibility, particularly in the context of popularity metrics like TRPs (Television Rating Points) and raised concerns over trend of news channels favoring singular points of view and the influence of financial backing on media content.
The lecturer also emphasized that the future health of the media ecosystem depends on the engagement of the public. By actively choosing diverse sources of information, questioning biased narratives, and expressing dissatisfaction with unbalanced coverage, the public can play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of media practices, she said
The lecture was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, allowing the audience to interact with Dr. Sindhu Manjesh.
The PP Gomathi Memorial Education Trust and the Department of Journalism expressed their gratitude to Dr. Sindhu Manjesh for her valuable contribution to the discourse on media health in India. Dr Srinivas Kakkilaya welcomed the gathering and introduced Dr. Sindhu Manjesh. Gopal Shetty, Secretary of the trust presented the introduction of PP Gomathi.
Dr. Anasuya Rai, Principal of University College, Mangaluru along with other guests was present during the event.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
