The Biggest Crisis in Journalism Today Is the Grip of Power and the Market”

An Exclusive Interaction with Dr. Mukesh Kumar

Dr. Mukesh Kumar is an immensely respected figure in Indian journalism and media education. A nearly four-decade-long career has placed his mark across print, television, and digital media. An anchor, columnist, author of repute, poet, academician, and expert in digital media, his contribution to Indian journalism stands both extensive and influential.

Currently, Dr. Kumar serves as the Editor of Satyahindi.com whose YouTube channel has more than 3.2 million subscribers. His day-to-day show as well as popular programmes Taana-Baana and Sach Ka Saamna arebeing run with a great national following. Previously, he has served as the Dean and Professor at Lovely Professional University, SGT University, and Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication.

Dr. Kumar's contribution to the opening of about six flagship news channels has been immense, namely News Express, Sahara Samay, S1, VOI, Maurya TV among others. Several programmes Subah Savere, Filhaal, Kahi Unkahi, Aapki Baithak anchoring on Doordarshan and Rajneeti: Khel Satta Ka, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Baat Bolegi on private channels as anchor give him widespread recognition. He was also the Editorial Chief of Doordarshan's first national weekly magazine Parkh.

An acclaimed writer, Dr. Kumar has penned 14 books and was associated with several documentaries and telefilms. The collection of his poetry, Sadho Jag Baurana, received critical acclaim. A vast experience in media, literature, and education makes him an inspiring voice for the next generation of journalists.

In this interview with EdInbox, Dr. Mukesh Kumar talks candidly about the changing media landscape, the crisis in journalism, corporate control, fake news, and democratic media futures.

How did your journey in journalism begin? What were the early challenges?

After finishing my Master’s in Science, the inevitable question would be—what next? At that time, a city-based newspaper Dainik Samay was searching for trainee journalists. I had already been writing and engaging with magazines by then, and hence, journalism sounded like an extension of the things I was enjoying doing.

Within three months, one of my teachers advised me to formally study journalism. That led me to Sagar University, where I signed up for a course in journalism. Soon after, I received an offer to work as a part-time correspondent with the Deshbandhu newspaper group, and I began reporting alongside my studies. That is how my journey started.

With a career spanning almost four decades, what are the major changes you have seen in the media?

These changes have been mammoth in nature-so far-reaching that several books can be written about them. It is sufficient to say here that broadly speaking, the character of media itself has changed.

Earlier, public interest-oriented journalism was dominant. A journalist without social commitment was not considered a journalist at all. Today, the word sarokar has almost become an abusive term in media organisations. Managements want journalists who help expand their business. Media houses have become market-driven and target group-oriented.

Besides, the media have completely aligned themselves to the power axis. News, journalistic freedom, society, and democracy are a thing of no consequence to them. They would seek to legitimize every incorrect act of the powers that be—partly by choice, partly for fear. The space for honest journalism has shrunk drastically.

The second big change is technology. When we began, there were only a few newspapers and one TV channel-Doordarshan. Today, India has close to 900 television channels, of them around 350 are news channels. The internet and mobile phones have made media omnipresent. Media consumption has increased manifold.

Yet, journalistic quality has fallen sharply-to the extent that ethical codes of journalism are routinely violated.

You've worked in both TV and digital; what do you see as the biggest difference?

Whereas television cannot travel with you, digital media does in the form of your mobile phone. You are always connected and see anything at any time. Visuals and videos rule our world now. Much more is being consumed by watching rather than reading.

How has increasing commercialisation affected journalistic quality?

The economic liberalisation saw unregulated expansion of the market, which had a direct impact on the content of media. The content has become shallow and sensationalist. The institution of an editor has been dismantled and replaced by management control. Ownership by corporations has given the reins of media to big capital, and there is a nexus between corporations and political power.

As a result, the media has turned anti-democratic and anti-people, promoting hate, violence, and divisive agendas.

Public interest vs TRP—what is to be the priority of a journalist?

Regarding mainstream media, the control that a journalist has is pretty minimal. The owners and the ruling power have much to say. Limited room for manoeuvre, but not enough to challenge corporate exploitation or political corruption.

But all that has changed with alternative and independent media opening new windows-where journalists are speaking freely and trying out new formats. Ultimately, it's a call the journalists have to take. Mainstream, of course, is TRP-driven.

What do you think about government-media relationships?

The media and government are no longer separate. The media is a tool for propaganda. When I say "pro-power," I mean the ruling class: the government, corporations, elite classes, and dominant castes.

How has the editor's job changed today?

In "godi media," there are no editors, only managers. Their task is to manage the channel for the powers that be and the owners. In the independent media, editors still have a meaningful and responsible role to play.

Allegations of bias against the media—how well grounded are they?

They are perfectly legitimate. The whole country—and the world—knows that. Credibility of the media has collapsed. People in general now consume them as entertainment or as a means of manipulation of opinion.

How much destruction has fake news actually caused since the era of social media?

And enormous damage is being caused-a lot more with deepfakes. The problem generally is that people cannot differentiate between what is true and what is a lie. In India, media literacy is close to zero. Most people in India do not know how to verify news or critically consume media content.

How can credible content be produced in the middle of all the fake news and propaganda?

It is already being done-by following basic journalistic principles: rigorous fact-checking, reliable sourcing, and patience. The real question is whether journalists have the commitment and discipline required.

What should the media's role be in strengthening democracy today?

The media is said to be the fourth pillar of democracy, but it has been reduced to the same pitiable condition as the other three. It has failed in holding power accountable and instead has surrendered itself.

How might the media balance public interest and power? 

Balance is not an obsession. Report objectively, people-centric. Cover the stories of the poor, the marginalised, Dalits, Adivasis, the excluded. You don't have to be "balanced" sounding. Your YouTube shows are extremely popular. How does audience support motivate you? My effort has always been to serve serious content in an entertaining manner. 

Some days it clicks, some days it doesn't. I never take stress over TRP or viewership. Keeping focused on work--that is my core philosophy.