Original reporting key to regaining public trust in media: N. Ram
N. Ram urged a return to core journalistic practices, media literacy in schools, and independent self-regulation to rebuild trust at Hyderabad conclave. He highlighted print strengths and cautioned against ownership pressures and over-reliance on digital platforms.
Key takeaways
- N. Ram advocates returning to ground reporting, investigative work, long-form writing and explanatory journalism to regain public trust.
- He calls for media literacy in schools and a regulatory framework with self-regulation and a news ombudsman.
- Ram argues that digital platforms will not replace traditional journalism and highlights print as a strength for in-depth reporting.
- Reader-funded models and diverse ownership are proposed as ways to sustain credible journalism.
What Happened
The Hindu Group Director N. Ram spoke at the Federation of Press Clubs National Conclave in Hyderabad on Sunday, August 23, 2026, addressing the topic Trust Deficit in Media: Can the Indian Media Regain Public Confidence?
Ram advocated returning to foundational reporting methods—ground reporting, investigative journalism, long-form writing and explanatory pieces—as essential to restoring public trust. He also pressed for media literacy to be introduced in schools at the middle or secondary level to help students evaluate news critically. The discussion also touched on codes of conduct, self-regulation, and regulatory frameworks.
Ram proposed that self-regulatory mechanisms should involve journalists and respected media figures rather than editors or owners. He suggested that codes of conduct should be backed by parliamentary legislation and that appointing a news ombudsman could help uphold standards and trust. He argued that digital platforms would not supplant traditional journalism and that print practices must adapt to the digital era.
According to Ram, investigative journalism remains a strength of print, and long-form reporting, data-driven work, and explanatory reporting could bolster credibility. He raised concerns about media ownership affecting standards and endorsed reader-funded models as an alternative. He cited Alt News and The Wire as examples of non-traditional models. Pratik Sinha of Alt News emphasized new economic models involving journalists and readers, the use of open-source software, and caution about heavy reliance on large technology companies.
Participants also discussed helping readers understand the value of print journalism by analyzing major newspapers on new media platforms, and introducing physical newspapers to younger audiences via video formats. Syeda Faiza Kirmani of The Siasat Daily noted that print remains important for in-depth, accurate information. The panel addressed misinformation and deliberate disinformation from vested interests, political groups and communal actors, and some attendees noted low wages and high fees at media training colleges as threats to journalism’s quality and sustainability.
Why It Matters
The remarks frame a strategy centering on transparent self-regulation, legislative backing for codes of conduct, and a renewed emphasis on investigative and explanatory work as a means to rebuild public trust. By highlighting reader-funded models and diverse ownership structures, the discussion points to potential shifts in how journalism is financed and sustained. The call for media literacy links educational policy to long-term media credibility, suggesting changes that extend beyond newsroom practices into civil society and education systems.
Background
The conclave gathered journalists and think-pieces on media trust, with speakers including N. Ram, Pratik Sinha, Syeda Faiza Kirmani, and Uma Sudhir moderating. The event occurred in Hyderabad on August 23, 2026, amid broader conversations about misinformation, digital disruption, and newsroom economics in India.
Key Facts
- Event: Federation of Press Clubs National Conclave in Hyderabad
- Speaker: N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group
- Date: August 23, 2026
- Location: Hyderabad, India
- Core proposals: ground reporting, investigative journalism, long-form journalism, explanatory writing
- Educational recommendation: media literacy included in middle/secondary school curricula
- Regulatory suggestions: codes of conduct backed by Parliament legislation; independent self-regulation; news ombudsman
- Industry points: digital platforms won’t replace traditional journalism; print strengths in investigative and data reporting
- Ownership concern: potential impact on standards; support for reader-funded models
- Examples cited: Alt News and The Wire as alternative models
- Challenges noted: low wages for media professionals and high fees at training colleges
What Happens Next
The report reflects a call for further discussion on regulatory frameworks and funding models, alongside education policy considerations. No specific timelines or implementations were announced at the conclave, but the mentioned ideas imply potential future debates and policy prompts within Indian media circles.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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