A Handbook of Journalism
Media in the Information Age
- V. Eshwar Anand - Professor, Journalism and Media Studies
- K. Jayanthi - Senior Deputy Editor, Frontline, The Hindu Group of Publications, Chennai
Journalism as a discipline is becoming increasingly important today. It has to contend with new challenges such as the explosion of social media, heightened commercial competition in the mainstream media and the emergence of the media as a powerful actor in public policy and governance. The confluence of these factors calls for fresh thinking about the teaching and practice of journalism.
A Handbook of Journalism: Media in the Information Age not only helps readers to understand today’s media environment but also prepares them to face the existing challenges. Distinguished editors, experts, academics and journalists join to examine these challenges from various angles, including some of the major contemporary trends, issues and processes in governance, institutions, administration and development, among others. The book fairly and objectively discusses a critical discipline that is at the crossroads.
Journalism is reinventing itself today; more profoundly, all citizens in contemporary democracies need to rediscover the rationale for why journalism should be supported and funded. India as the world’s largest democracy is a hugely important site for such rethinking. This vital new book draws together a wide range of experts and thinkers to address the challenges of journalism in the digital age. I urge you to read it!
It will inspire young journalists with the sense of mission that goes withempowering readers with the facts needed for informed decisions. Its
emphasis on the Editor’s role maintaining standards is timely. Industry’srush to monetise every page, channel and digital feed is perilously shortsighted. Journalism’s currency, as the authors point out, rests on accuracy, deep reporting and a keen grasp of the storyteller’s art. Marketing
teams can’t supply that; the Editor does.
It is a creative conversation between the practitioners and academia in journalism studies. Journalism teaching in India is obsessed with ‘training’ rather than a ‘studies’ orientation. Distinguished practitioners and academia rarely reflect on their experiences and introspect on their profession. Much has changed in journalism because of its nature, increasing competition and the rent-seeking behaviour. It would be an interesting book for students of journalism and communication studies.
Media in the digital age is rapidly evolving, but many of the challenges that journalism faces are not very well understood by the wider public or
by media professionals themselves. Given the breadth of topics it seeks to address, this handbook will be a valuable addition to existing literature
on the subject.
Any attempt at making sense of the proliferation of media in the digital era is welcome. Print still retains its primacy despite social media and other offshoots. Principles of good journalism remain the same: integrity and competence.
‘This vital new book draws together a wide range of experts and thinkers to address the challenges of journalism in the digital age. I urge you to read it!’
