Digital media won't replace newspapers, but impact them: Braj Mohan Singh

Braj Mohan Singh, Regional Editor, ETV Bharat

Emerging Digital Media and New World Order was the theme of the 34^th twitter chat of Bloggers Alliance, hosted via @BlogIndiaBlog handle on 8^th November. The guest of the week was Braj Mohan Singh, Regional Editor, ETV Bharat (Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad). The conversation – known as the India’s First Chat (born amid Covid) -- was moderated by Narvijay Yadav, a senior media personality. Reproducing here the highlights of the chat. 

Covid has brought in a sense of instability in the media industry. This is one sector where thousands of people have lost jobs. What does future hold?

Future is challenging for media sector as advertising is dipping since the lockdown. As we all know newspapers were not in circulation for almost four to five months, it started rolling only around August. Size of newspaper has gone thinner and advertising is dipping, resulting in massive scale down across the industry. Digital media has come to the rescue of traditional news industry, as it has seen sizeable growth across the regions in different part of India. English and Hindi newspapers have seen their digital arms growing and making profits. In India people were used to the print copies, but now they are paying for the digital news. Now nothing would be free. If one needs credible news, one might have to pay. Still I feel if you compare cost of digital news, it would come cheaper compared to the newspapers.

The way we used to consume news has changed, is it going to be long lasting?

Just to refer to The Hindu, the price for one year subscription of the newspaper was Rs 45, while the price of 10 gram Gold was Rs 86. Now the price of 10 grams of Gold would be nothing less than Rs 55,000. Just imagine, how we have devalued our news, and digital news has been almost free. If one wants quality, one might have to pay for it. More than 80 per cent of the users consume news on their smart phone.

Revenue in media sector has shrunk, when this is likely to regain its lost momentum?

Dynamics have changed. Though the media sector has shrunk, there is possibility of gaining its ground across the languages. We have been witnessing increasing pay walls across the language and that is the good sign. For every quality product one has to pay. Credible news comes with a cost. 

Already print editions are closing down, will digital media replace it?

It had started much before the Covid 19. Most of the newspapers have downsized their editions to cut down the cost. Newspapers have physical and geographical limitations, while digital comes with its unmatched coverage and reach. It might not be be able to replace newspapers, but consumption of news choice suggest that digital media has made its place at the cost of newspapers and Television.

Will the Work From Home help creators to contribute from far off places?

In the last 6 months, most of the media houses have worked from home (WFH). Work has not stopped. Rather in terms of text news, productivity has improved. Apart from technical staff, rest of the news gathering and news processing have moved on with rapid pace. WFH has set a new standard operating procedure before the media industry.

What kind of content would people like to read when life has been confined?

Content which has value. content which has shelf life will be in demand. During Corona impact, we saw people read all about health news. People read about Ayurveda and wellness stories. People consumed umpteen number of stories about how to overcome Corona. How people managed to run their families with meager income. How People on the roadside survived with whatever little they had to eat. Ultimately, humans have tremendous skill of surviving in crisis and we have shown it. If people could walk upto 2000-3000 kilometres and start their lives afresh, what could be more inspiring that this.

What is the difference between e-papers and digital news websites?

I believe e-papers are static and lose its value with new day, while digital editions are updating themselves round the clock. On mobile, digital news is always expandable. Any time one can add value to it. Add graphics or insert a video into this. E-papers don't have this luxury.  

How to avoid fake news in digital space? 

I think all of us have, at some point of time, got carried away by fake news. So best part is to follow credible news portals, they have access to primary source of news or they have wherewithal to verify it. Don't make unverified source as part of news consumption habit. Avoid those handles, which have no or zero credibility.

Universities have been producing more and more trained manpower for the traditional media industry. What's the future of such students? What precautions the new media students should take?

Digital has given them opportunity to learn more and upscale their skills. Don't depend on university or college degree alone. Online media has provided us immense opportunity to learn at a very lost cost. Learn script writing, video editing and knowledge of graphics making would be also a big plus. In digital media, if you can create a great product, age or experience would not matter too much.

How challenging has been the work for the media persons during the Covid pandemic?

I think we are all going through existential crisis. Survival of the fittest is the mantra, but it gives one the opportunity to explore lot many things. Journalists having good teaching skills are opting for teaching career. They are more satisfied than ever because they can easily overcome the instability and insecurity. Just try to explore yourself, what else you can learn, there are endless possibilities.

What tips you would like to give to the media students or professionals?

Learn as many skills as possible. Only those people will survive and excel with a will to opt for multi-tasking. Learn how to write. How to report, how to anchor. Learn about functioning of multi-media skills. Become an asset for someone, so that they come for you and you don't have to search for opportunities all the time.