Mumbai: Expressing concern over over-commercialisation of media, President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday asked it to exercise freedom with "honesty, objectivity and conviction" to promote national goal and build public opinion.
Patil also advised journalists to verify and double-check facts before airing a story.
"The media is a powerful tool in a democracy and more so in India, which is the world's largest democracy. It can be a catalyst for positive change, by highlighting issues of public interest that involve public accountability.
"However, while doing so, the media must work with the three fundamental characteristics that define responsible journalism honesty, objectivity and conviction. These should never be compromised in your work," Patil said in her speech in Marathi while presenting 'Lokmat Maharashtrian Awards' for 2011.
She said in an attempt to be the first to break the news, stories begin to be aired or come on the pages even before all facts have been fully verified and double-checked.
The President, who is on a three-day visit in Mumbai, said the power of the media has increased "substantially", especially with the emergence of new tools of communication technologies and asked it to realise "the full essence of freedom".
She said there are certain trends in the media world, which must receive attention. "There is a question of over- commercialisation of the media, where Television Rating Points (TRPs) ratings have become indicators of success.
"This sometimes results in media being more of a commercial venture rather than a 'thinking business' which through proper analysis informs the public 'in an objective manner' and creates awareness," Patil said.
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