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The Press and people: An interactive partnership

This has certainly transformed the world into a "global village" atleast as far as the Press is concerned, and made traditional borders seem irrelevant while at the same time making a "breaking news" in Asia quite relevant even to the people in North America. This renewed ability to directly impact peoples lives over such a broad spectrum has given the Press a power that it didn't have some years ago. At the same time it also places an added responsibility on those involved with the media to conduct themselves in a more responsible manner. According to various studies, a large percentage of the public no longer view journalists merely as reporters but consider them to be opinion makers. It is also widely believed that so important is the relationship between the Press and the people today, that if the Press innovates its role and starts doing things differently, then the people would also act and react differently. While there is still a scarcity in consensus on what constitutes 'good journalism', almost everyone agrees that the relationship (or partnership) between the Press, and the people (and to some extent the politicians) would have a significant impact on how this "global village" carves its future.

Before one tries to determine how this "partnership" can emerge, one must first look at the way the in which the Press (or journalism) has evolved over the years. It would be safe to conclude that days of "community" and "regional" newspapers are long gone, perhaps because they were often viewed as being hugely dependant on "advertising dollars" and thus not being truly independent. Online editions of broadsheet newspaper currently dominate the readership, while entertainment (or should I say "infortainment"?) driven tabloids still retain their popularity. In any case, satellite television, and online editions of newspapers have emerged as a medium of choice for many. Similarly, the 'investigative' style of journalism has also divided public opinion. While some still celebrate the 'investigative' style of journalism, many others remain unimpressed because they view this as an infringement on an individual's privacy largely thriving on controversies involving the conduct of public figures, which to many is distasteful and thus dismissed as 'sensationalism'. The people and the Press are essential components of any society and if they can find a working relationship in society, in turn the world can be transformed. The question is, how can this happen? It is largely believed that the Press can no longer earn the respect of the public by simply providing them with accurate and independent news and relevant and updated information and entertainment. It must also involve the public by challenging their intellect and encouraging them to get involved in the news story and take ownership of the issues rather than remaining silent bystanders or spectators. The people no longer want to feel powerless and alienated by "just reading" or "just watching" a breaking news story unfolding before their eyes but rather they want to be involved, have a voice, and take part in what is happening .

In many respects this is not something totally new and it has to a limited extent been happening in the form of letters to the editor, but new technical possibilities allow the media to collect the views of the public in a much more direct way than before.

While I recognise and strongly believe that accurate news reporting should continue to remain the utmost priority of a responsible media, independence, authenticity, impartiality and objectivity still remain core values of journalism. However I feel that in modern times, it has become equally important for any good journalist to ensure that people affected by a reported news story should also have a voice in that story. This can only happen with "interactive journalism" between the Press and the people. The Press must create a medium for two-way conversations with the viewers and readers, in contrast to the previously traditional role of one-way flow of information where the reader (or viewer) was dumped with a lot of facts about which he or she could do nothing.

Today journalism must be a two-way and interactive process based on a healthy and positive partnership encouraging exchange and interactivity between the Press and the people. Newspapers and television exude immense power to make people think. However it must be noted that the Press has no business to tell people what to think. It simply asks them what to "think about".

When the media is more open to the public, it influences public opinion more intensely in influencing people to frame their vision. 'Interactive journalism' can foster the partnership between the Press and people and shape societies. This interaction can have many forms. It can happen by way of live call in television shows in which viewers vent their opinions, it can happen through letters to the editor, or on-line news pages, blogs, or even public polls. Speaking from personal experience, in interactive journalism, both as a moderator of Khaleej Times Forum, and a host of a live interactive news talk show, I can safely conclude that this feeling of 'inclusion' both by the readers and the viewers is one way in which this partnership can emerge. This also has the scope to positively influence people's perceptions of the Press, which in turn prompts in-depth reporting that resonates more authentically with the community, rather than journalism that parrots just two sides of an issue. This also allows journalists, like myself, to be in close contact with the communities and to break some old stereotypes by innovating the news desk and allowing editors a fresh look at things by being more willing to take new risks albeit positive ones. The forthcoming Khaleej Times International Forum is a seminar entitled "The Press, The People and the Politicians - Working towards a Positive Partnership" in which distinguished members of the British Parliament are among the guest speakers - the aim would be to better understand how all members of society can make positive contributions to society.

Javed Malik is a British journalist and television show host. He also moderates the Khaleej Times International Forum and can be contacted at javed@dubaimedianetwork.com