AI cannot replace journalists, original storytelling is the strength: Dr. Annurag Batra

Addressing the 'Journalism 40 Under 40' programme of Samachar4Media, he said that today is not the day to discuss the shortcomings of journalism, but to honour the achievements of those young journalists who have made a mark with their work even in difficult circumstances.

Beginning his address, Dr. Annurag Batra welcomed all the guests, jury members, and winners. He said that it was a privilege to be present among them at the fourth edition of News4Media's "Journalism 40 Under 40."

He specially welcomed Brijesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, as the chief guest and attending the event for the third consecutive time. He said that it is a matter of pride for the News4Media family that Brijesh Pathak always takes the time to come to this platform and encourage young journalists. He also urged the audience to applaud Brijesh Pathak.

Dr. Annurag Batra said that he has rarely seen public representatives who are so open to meeting everyone. He added that he has also heard from officials who work with Brijesh Pathak that he communicates with everyone with cordiality. He added that Brijesh Pathak also has a good reputation among journalists, and almost every journalist praises his demeanor. According to him, this is the greatest achievement for any public representative.

He said that at a time when many politicians avoid media questions, Brijesh Pathak's presence at this event and his open presence among journalists is commendable. He expressed his gratitude for this.

Dr. Annurag Batra then extended special thanks to Shashi Shekhar, the jury chairman and Hindustan's editor-in-chief. He said that when he first conceived the idea of ​​launching the "Journalism 40 Under 40" awards, Shashi Shekhar was the first name that came to mind. He added that Shashi Shekhar fulfills every responsibility he accepts with complete honesty, responsibility, and ethics.

He said that Shashi Shekhar played a key role in enhancing the prestige of this award. He also thanked the other jury members for their impartiality in selecting the winners.

Dr. Annurag Batra also mentioned Avinash Pandey, Secretary General of the Indian Broadcast and Digital Foundation (IBDF), saying that he has a deep understanding of the media industry. He noted that Pandey previously served as Group CEO of ABP News and has served on several prestigious juries. 

He also gave special praise to Annurag Muskan, the senior journalist who was moderating the stage. Dr. Batra said that Annurag Muskan's powerful voice, impressive personality, and deep understanding of the media industry further enhanced the seriousness and quality of the entire program. He urged the audience to give Annurag Muskan a round of applause.  

Continuing his address, Dr. Annurag Batra said that today, different narratives are being spread about journalism. Some say that journalists have to hide their identities, while others speak of being proud journalists. However, he believes that journalism needs to be understood in its changing context, and that those involved in this profession should be proud of their work.

He said that society has changed, politics has changed, and people's priorities have also changed. Consequently, it is natural for journalism to change. He said that he would not say whether this change is good or bad, because every change is evaluated with time. But it is certain that the media today is operating in a more challenging environment than before.

Dr. Annurag Batra said that for him, journalists, media owners, and editors are not just professional colleagues, but like family. He said that he views the entire media fraternity as one community and is confident that despite extremely difficult circumstances, journalists and media organizations are doing their work with utmost dedication. He asked all the journalists present to applaud themselves, as today is a day to celebrate their contributions and achievements.

He said that the media can certainly do better than before and needs to continue to do so. But this does not mean that the achievements of journalists should be ignored. He said that today is not a day for self-criticism, but to honor those journalists who have made a mark with their work.

In his address, Dr. Batra shared an interesting incident. He explained that a prominent industrialist had asked him why journalists needed awards, and what work they do. In response, he told the industrialist that any industrialist, businessman, organization, or leader certainly works hard, but the media also plays an important role in strengthening their identity, image, and brand.

He said that journalists bring people's work to the attention of society. They highlight their achievements, tell their stories, and contribute to strengthening their public image. He told the industrialist that the media not only reports news, but also plays a major role in establishing the credibility of individuals, institutions, and brands in society. Therefore, the work of journalists should be respected.

Dr. Annurag Batra said that he had spoken this to the man, who was among the country's top industrialists, with utmost humility. He believes that just as those who excel in other fields are honored, journalists should also be recognized for their contributions.

He then elaborated on the selection process and transparency of the "Journalism 40 Under 40" awards. He noted that previously, these awards charged entry fees because they were organized by a professional, for-profit company, and there was nothing to hide. He added that exchange4media has been working in the media industry for the past 26 years and has always received the support of readers and the media community.

He explained that during the first year of the event, he realized that the entry fee allowed larger media organizations to submit a larger number of applications because they had more resources. However, smaller organizations or individual journalists found it less easy. Learning from this experience, News4Media completely eliminated entry fees for the last two editions.

He said that the event now enlists the support of sponsors, and that more sponsors may join in the future. However, his goal is not just to organize the event, but to make it the most prestigious journalism award in the country.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Annurag Batra stated that the purpose of this award is not merely to honor, but to make it the most credible and prestigious journalistic platform in the country. He stated that in the coming years, the event will be organized on a larger scale to attract more journalists from across the country.  

He also spoke at length about the awards' selection process, stating that it is completely fair and transparent. He stated categorically that he himself doesn't even know who the winner will be. A jury meeting is held, where Jury Chairman Shashi Shekhar and other members evaluate all applications. Once the final list is finalized, it is approved, and only then are the winners notified. He added that there is no interference in this process, and this is the greatest strength of this honor.

Dr. Annurag Batra said that today the entire world is discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the media industry is no exception. However, he believes that AI cannot replace journalists. He added that no matter how much technology advances, the need for original storytelling, on-the-ground reporting, and a human perspective will always remain. This is journalism's greatest strength, and its importance will only increase in the future. He added that new-age journalism will have to adapt to AI, but it should never abandon its originality.

He said he hadn't come on stage to criticize the media. He believes that even today, India's journalists are doing excellent work under extremely difficult circumstances. Pointing to the young journalists present at the event, he said that their hard work and dedication are the greatest hope for the future of journalism.

Dr. Batra expressed his delight at the event, not only attended by journalists, but also by a large number of their families. He noted that many of the winners' parents, spouses, siblings, and other family members also came to witness their honors. He emphasized that a journalist's success is not solely a personal achievement, but the result of the hard work and sacrifice of their entire family.

In his address, he advised young journalists to take special care of their health. He said that the media profession carries a lot of work pressure, but health should not be neglected. He said that India today is among those countries where people sleep only five and a half hours on average, whereas a healthy person needs at least eight hours of sleep. He appealed to journalists to take special care of their health and lifestyle.

Dr. Annurag Batra pointed out another weakness in the media industry, saying that people rarely praise each other. He said that journalists should openly acknowledge the good work of their colleagues, friends, and even competitors. He added that there are many people in the world who will try to pull you down, so media people should at least encourage each other, rather than pull each other down.