New Delhi: Shekhar Gupta, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint, Friday spoke about the surprises that came with being a journalist, the new rules of international diplomacy and the crisis of broadcast media, at the second edition of Democracy Wall’s second season.
“Too many media channels have become like entertainment channels, TV news is going through a crisis,” said Gupta. He also said people watch TV for entertainment these days, instead of gaining new information.
ThePrint’s Democracy Wall is a free-speech campus initiative, and its latest edition was held at Amity University, Mumbai. Rapper Slowcheeta, Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, actor Tisca Chopra, comedian Srijan Kaushik, and co-founder and executive director of IIFL Wealth & Asset Management Yatin Shah were also a part of the event.
On ‘media crisis’
On Indian media’s coverage of Article 370 revocation, Gupta said, “There is a communication blackout to the extent that internet and mobiles are not working. I won’t say that Indian media is not covering it, you just have to watch the right channel.”
He compared Indian media’s coverage to the international media and explained that the latter is also represented by the Indians working for them.
Gupta talked about how the “government is becoming autocratic with the media”.
He advised the students present to “read sensible media and to not get influenced by ‘commando comic channels’”.
Asked to share his experience of being a journalist, he said journalism “brings you its own challenges” and one “gets surprises everyday”.
“Don’t come to journalism for Yatin Shah kind of salary,” he said, but also added that “everything comes with a package today, salaries in journalism are much higher now”.
Politics today
Asked to share his thoughts on mob lynchings and the plight of minorities, Gupta acknowledged the problems faced by the country and said, “Democracy has an immune system [and] there are many challenges but correctives come from within the democracy.”
On Prime Minister Modi’s endorsement of US President Donald Trump at the Howdy, Modi! event in Texas, he said, “The world is run by alpha males like Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, Shinzo Abe, Xi Jinping and others, and they don’t follow conventional rules of diplomacy.”
Also read: Need to balance EQ and IQ to be successful today, says IIFL co-founder Yatin Shah
Well said Mr.Gupta,
It’s become media management circus than a good governance.
Diaspora has taken over a probing press
Wonder what Shekhar Gupta would have to say on crores of rupees spent on the media by Augusta Westland Helicopter people. Who were the beneficiaries of the scam pay off? Public can guess some of those names! It’s a matter of time before Christian Michele ‘Mama’ and the other approver spill out the beans.
Having said that, the Dukandaari of many journalists who were Lootian gang( literally, not just Lutyens) are on the verge of closure.
You are very selective in Cherry picking. You cry for other than nationalist Indian people. It seems that you are being paid by antinationalist tukde tukde gang.
Mr. Gupta, you did not utter a single word when Godhra happened, you kept quiet when Kashmiri Pandits were raped andmurdered and looted. You did not utter a single word when lakhs of Hindus were and are getting converted by Christian missionaries and Muslims. What kind of Journalism are talking and preaching, when even a deaf and blind knows that you are a MOLE of Congress party planted among the journalists.
Oh Mr.Gupta ur blackmailing days r going to b over.U r a blot on Indian Media a known blackmailer & tripple agent of China+ISI+Khangress.Up to wen people like U would be playing misdeeds under d banner of media or Freedom of Press?
Did anyone ask Shri Gupta on what kind of journalism was the story of army coup when UPA was in power and he was the editor of the news paper?
What about you Sir holier than the cow 😂
@Shekar GUPTA
Funny how you keep on saying you a journalist, when in fact everyone knows you a paid opinion writer,
Modi hater cum unofficial congress spokesperson.You can’t fool all the people all the time.
Just don’t watch Channels like Aaj tak, Zee News, India Tv, Abp news…#GodiMedia instead follow Shekhar gupta and Ravish kumar… That’s Enough!!!
print is one of those u are crying on fundamental right and still article 21 and 22 no abolish where where you kashmiri pandit crying for right to life
u are there in journalism then why u dont say a thing