Namaste Radio Tarana listeners and Indian Newslink readers.
Congratulations to Radio Tarana for reaching 15 years service in this increasingly competitive media market.
Listeners of the radio station are blessed to have such a credible and informative news and entertainment service.
Its coverage of events including our Indian communities across Greater Auckland and internationally are always in depth, balanced and often ahead of its competitors.
It is no surprise that Radio Tarana has long held the mantle of Auckland’s Number One Indian Radio Station and the Leading Language Broadcaster in the commercial radio market.
Well done and good luck for the next 15 years.
In a year such as this, when Greater Auckland is going through a monumental change, we need our media to do justice to their readers, listeners and viewers.
It is the media’s responsibility to be the voice piece for the public, to inform and to engage in ideas.
In my capacity as Mayor for Auckland and mayoral candidate for the new Auckland Council, I am trying to shake hands and have a conversation with the 1.4 million people who call this great city home.
But that will be very difficult.
So, for me and the other candidates, the news media becomes very important and we must be able to trust that it will portray the issues objectively and with credibility.
On the whole, this happens.
However, at times our mainstream news outlets stumble when confronted with this responsibility.
It is no secret that media organisations are facing financial problems, just like all of us. This can have a detrimental effect on their product.
They are in business these days to make news that makes money.
I understand and respect that.
So it is important for the audience to use the media as only one source of information and not the whole.
What do I mean by this? Well, there is a real importance to disseminate the news and information you are getting.
Many times I have watched a news report – after being at the same event and it does not match up to what I witnessed.
I take nothing away from the reporter or journalist, it is their job to convey what they see, but because of this tough media market that can lead to sensational reporting.
So we must be able to separate what is news and what is not.
I take hope and inspiration from organisations like Indian Newslink and Radio Tarana that are independent – one of the only remaining.
They do not need to sensationalise and instead offer a genuine news service and this has to be applauded.
On this milestone achievement of the 15th year, congratulations to Radio Tarana for making your media model a super success in this competitive commercial market.
I wish you all success and happiness.
Banksie
John Banks (affectionately called ‘Banksie’) is the Mayor of Auckland City and a Mayoral Candidate at the forthcoming Auckland (Super City) Council election. He was a regular Indian Newslink Columnist during his previous term as Mayor (2001-2004).
