In recent times, the news media has undergone scrutiny as never before, following the News Corporation debacle in the UK.
What they did was a clear violation of the rights and privileges accorded to the media, as it snooped on innocent and unsuspecting people for information.
It created international furor and its ripples lapped the shores of many nations.
With this revelation, the media lost respect and trust and journalists across the world suffered backlash.
Many labeled them as scavengers who reveled in sensationalism, recklessly breaching boundaries that defined standards.
In today’s World, democracy in many countries has become victim of politicians who have traded its values and virtues, giving priority to self-interest.
Consequently, respect and regard for politicians has been on the decline.
Many hold the view that it is, to a considerable extent, the failure of the media that has led to the decline in the quality of leadership in many nations.
In some countries, the media became the agents of politicians or political parties for economic reasons.
Bad company spoils
Such association scoured democracy, as it strengthened unscrupulous politicians to be self-seeking, reckless and corrupt.
Indian Newslink, as an Indian ethnic publication, has earned its place of eminence, largely through its content, quality and independence.
Consequently, it has readers from other cultures, which ensures that their voice echoes beyond the communal boundaries.
In a country with cultural diversity, the media needs to dispense its duties and responsibilities with sensitivity.
While informing, protecting and promoting its ethnic interests, it cannot ignore the needs, desires and aspirations of other cultures because collectively we are citizens of one nation.
Once ethnic newspapers like Indian Newslink accept this reality, they can become powerful medium for social cohesion.
Variety & quality
In thirteen years, this newspaper has served the interests of ethnic Indian community, maintaining independence and encouraging varied voices to echo through its columns.
It is variety and quality that give it an edge but it would need to be bolder and more daring if it wants to maintain its dominance in a highly competitive market.
Such competition does not only come from print media but also from the Internet, which is constantly changing the landscape.
Newspapers across the world are witnessing diminishing returns, as readership and income from advertisements wane.
For many, it is question of survival, amidst uncertainty.
I feel that newspapers that concentrate on being newsy, dwelling on current events only, will find it difficult to survive.
Nowadays, with the Internet, radio and television, people have instant access to news, which is a disadvantage to the print media.
Those newspapers that combine news with balanced opinion, like Time or India Today, are likely to retain strong readership.
However, even this may not be so, as Newsweek recently announced that it would cease its print publication at the end of the year.
It was bleeding $40 million per year.
Will this be the trend?
Only time will tell!
As for Indian Newslink, I feel that it has the wisdom and maturity to meet the challenges.
Rajendra Prasad is a thinker, author and writer based in Auckland. He has been a regular contributor to Indian Newslink for many years and produced an analysis of our editions in our Tenth Anniversary Special (November 15, 2010). The picture shows him speaking at the launch of his book held at the Ellerslie War Memorial Hall on August 21, 2004. Seated are former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand (partially hidden) and Member of Parliament Rajen Prasad (then Chief Families Commissioner).
