Kathmandu: The editors from print and online media have underlined the need of augmenting investment in content to ensure the sustainability of journalism. They were univocal on it during an editors’ dialogue the Press Council Nepal organized on ‘Lessons from Past and Concern for Present’ in the federal capital on Friday. They shared views on contemporary challenges journalism is facing in the wake of technological innovation and disruption.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Chief Editor at Baahkhari.com, Prateek Pradhan, argued that impactful content is the major basis of journalism. Irrespective of the medium, news quality counts much. Journalism’s major role is to hold accountable those in government and power, he emphasized.
Editor with the Nagarik daily, Gunaraj Luitel, said although artificial intelligence (AI) was creating a panic, technology could not displace journalism at all. However, timely changes are essential in journalism along with awareness among journalists, Luitel asserted.
Editor with the Dristi weekly, Shambhu Shrestha, viewed print media still bears significance despite the expansion of the digital medium. The readers and audience always yearn for something different and quality content, so journalists need whetting skills to serve quality content, according to him.
Editor with the Kantipur Television, Bijay Paudel, admitted that media were yet to get close to public issues and concerns. He argued that people were getting detached from the media, reasoning they felt their voices were unheard in media. At such, technology could be leveraged to strengthen media relations with the public and broader publicity, Paudel added.
Vice Chairperson of the Digital Media Alliance, Monika Singh, said it was wrong to argue that digital platforms like YouTube and Facebook were defaming journalism. Blaming another media is not responsible, she underlined.