Heavy Crown of Leadership and Responsibilities of the Times Group

The Times of India is now the undisputed leader of print media in India by circulation. It was founded in 1838 and was originally called The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce, and changed its name to The Times of India in 1861 and since then, Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd has come a long way. The esteemed newspaper is well known for its insistence on accuracy and avoidance of sensationalism and has built up its reputation to become an important part of our lives.

Through this piece, we will deliberate only on the print publications of the organization and not discuss about TV channels operated by this highly versatile organization. The Times Group has become an integral part of the country’s social and economic fabric, with many readers addicted to the daily newspaper, published in multiple cities and languages. I have also been an ardent reader of the Times of India for several decades now. It is a pleasure to watch the Group grow and take the position of Number one. The TOI has won the hearts of millions of people in India by effectively covering national and international happenings.

The readers have bestowed the crown of Numero Uno on this publication. This is not an easy crown to wear as it comes with several challenges and responsibilities. Number one has a big leading role to play, which can set the path for other players to follow and adapt. In a democratic country, like ours, the Right to Freedom of Speech should not be played with.

The onus is on the market leader, The Times Group in this case, to ensure that the ethics of the media are adhered to. I am sure the whole print media will take the cue and adjust to the road the leader takes. Let us visit some areas of concern and remind the leader that they need to take their role as market leader seriously. I am sure that there must be some internal discussion and serious deliberation going on within the organization on most of the points mentioned below.

One fine morning, as I opened the newspaper and found an interview by the CEO of a major corporation. The subject of the interview is not important; what is important is that there was a full-page advertisement by the same company a few pages later. The worst is that a story supporting the same narrative was published a few days later. It is easy to conclude that the interview was paid for by the corporate house. Paid news can be defined as any news or analysis appearing in print or electronic media for consideration in cash or kind. This can be in the form of advertisements camouflaged as news or appearing as news. The menace of paid news is impacting the credibility of the entire media industry today and is a cause of worry. This needs to be addressed to ensure a thriving and vibrant democracy. Who better than the market leader to find a sustainable solution to this persistent problem?

Paid News: Readers are deceived by the barrage of such paid news, which may be factually incorrect, and wrong and unjustified opinions can be established. The state is in a dilemma over the issue and is not able to find the right solution to safeguard the freedom of press. The irony is that the State itself may be using this to its advantage, as they have enormous resources and power to remunerate and compensate the media in cash or kind. Allurement of advertisements or threats of persecution in some ways by which the State can thrust paid news for political gains. Market leaders should not be cowed down and take a stand dispassionately with clarity of purpose.

The Press Council of India appointed a committee in 2010 to examine the issue, but there was intensive lobbying against it by sections of the corporate world and the media industry, thus it didn’t lead to any solution. It is now for the market leader to take a decisive stand against it or to present a sustainable solution to curb this problem. Given its position as a leading media organization with significant influence on the country’s social fabric, The Times Group should reject the practice of paid news, even if it means sacrificing some revenue, in order to uphold journalistic integrity and public trust.

Ethical Advertisements: At the same time, revenue is very important for any commercial organisation and the media is no exception. There is a big BUT in this conjecture, as media is a social-commercial entity and not just a commercial organisation. As a market leader, the Times Group must set a process to assess the suitability of the advertiser and its impact on the readers. Merely putting disclaimers is not enough. Misleading advertisements must be eliminated and sources verified before printing them. The Times Group must take a proactive stance and set up a verification system to prevent publishing misleading or harmful advertisements.

Policy Decisions: It is the responsibility of the country’s most popular daily newspaper to understand the logic and implications of policy decisions likely to be introduced. Media can play a decisive role in such cases by projecting all aspects of any policy. It can be potentially disastrous for the leader of the print media to remain silent and let the public face the consequences of half-baked laws. It is for the media to educate the common people without any bias about the forthcoming laws. The TOI must not support the powers that be based on revenue considerations alone.

In any democracy, lobbyists are bound to be operating and take a strong position as their sponsors and supporters have unlimited resources, which can be used to twist the arms of the State to have their way in policy or practice. Media cannot be so gullible that they can take sides and favourably present their views.

Accurate and Factual Coverage: It is the fundamental responsibility of any media organization to present factually correct, unbiased and honest information. Their frontline staff should report accordingly. If by any chance it is found or observed that an inaccurate, misleading statement or distorted report has been published, it must be informed to people and a correction and apology published at the earliest, truthfully and with equal visibility as the original report. The TOI must check on that and correct itself if required, to ensure misleading information does not result in rumourmongering amongst people, which large and vested interests can use to take advantage and spread disharmony.

Views of the editors, the analysis and commentary are a must on the current happenings, and all areas of public interest should be distinguished from news reports and not represented as fact.

One other important point the leader has to address is the privacy of citizens. All are entitled to privacy and it must be respected. Media must ensure that this right is not violated by them or by the state by enacting laws or adopting measures like tapping etc, which encroach upon their privacy.

Leader Must Be Empathetic  

The other day, I saw the blackened hands of a teenager distributing newspapers early in the morning. I was shocked to learn that this was due to the handling of newspapers. The soot of lead does not go away even after washing. Lead is entering their bloodstream and the damage can only be assessed by medical practitioners. The TOI, as the world’s largest media house, must take steps to ensure the health and wellness of young adults delivering newspapers, even if some financial commitments are required. They have some human rights and must be given their due by being given dignity and protection.

While I have listed only a few issues, the list of challenges and responsibilities resting on the Times Group is numerous. The TOI has to prove that it is Number One not only by circulation or by revenue but also holds this position as an ethical media house.

Self-regulation

To prevent and curb commercial tendencies and revenue considerations, the leader of the media community must develop a system of effective self-regulation, based on an agreed code of ethics. This is not a new idea.

The TOI must set a process of self-regulation and restraint. When the leader sets a self-regulatory mechanism in the organisation, others will tend to follow. This self-regulatory process should be so formulated that it helps in building the trust of the readers in the media, which is increasingly being shaken because of paid news and unethical advertising practices, among others.

As a leader or number one of print media, the Times Group has the responsibility to help the general public form an opinion, even if it needs to run an education campaign and sustain with follow-ups till the cause is well addressed. Here are a few examples where a strong campaign can be launched:

• Health care for all
• Unemployment and Employability
• Migratory workforce: their rights as equalized with those of Government employees as their contribution to GDP is much more than organized worker working in Government offices
• Human rights
• Privacy
• Rights of sex workers
• Education for all
• Teeth to CAG and other regulators

The above is a list of topics drawn by a layman and there can be many more items which can be put on the agenda for creating public opinion and compelling the concerned agencies to do the needful.

In Closing

Leading media organizations must go beyond commercial interests and lead by example. The Times Group must introspect and keep the country’s and its readers’ interests at the center of its work practices and philosophy. The Times of India, as the undisputed leader in print media, must not just preserve its legacy but also chart a new path for Indian journalism. A path that is rooted in truth, transparency, public service, and a deep respect for the power of the press in a democracy. The real measure of a media house is not just its reach, but its responsibility. The Times Group must prove it deserves both.

World Bank, James Wolfensohn, said in a 2002 report: “A key ingredient of an effective development strategy is knowledge transmission and enhanced transparency. To reduce poverty, we must liberate access to information and improve the quality of information. People with more information are empowered to make better choices. For these reasons, I have long argued that a free press is not a luxury. It is at the core of equitable development. The media can expose corruption. They can keep a check on public policy by throwing a spotlight on government action. They let people voice diverse opinions on governance and reform and help build public consensus to bring about change.”

The media must serve as a catalyst for both democracy and development, making public participation more informed and meaningful. When the media operates with honesty and integrity, it strengthens democratic institutions and helps identify and address systemic flaws, ultimately enhancing public trust and satisfaction. Conversely, if the media becomes biased, corrupt, or aligned with specific political interests, it poses a serious threat to the health and stability of democracy.

Perfection may be unattainable, but continuous improvement is essential—and this applies to the media as well. There remains significant scope for growth, and the media must rise to meet the evolving expectations of the people it is meant to serve.