Indian media is at a critical juncture, says journalist Seema Chishti

Senior journalist and editor of The Wire news portal Seema Chishti during the 25th Memorial lecture on the legacy of prominent journalist N. Narendran at Trivandrum Press Club, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN / THE HINDU Senior journalist Seema Chishti on Friday underscored the growing relevance of small, independent media in an age when “big media is not willing to hear small voices.” Ms. Chishti, Editor at The Wire, was delivering the 25th N. Narendran memorial lecture on the theme ‘Media Beyond Jantar Mantar.’ The annual event was organised by the friends of journalist N. Narendran at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club.Rescuing “good information” which is vital for the survival of democracy is the big challenge, she said. Ms. Chishti urged independent, “fragmented” media to engage in collaborations and joint investigations, pointing out that “small is in.”Indian media is at a critical juncture today, she said. She noted the evolution of big media houses in the post-2014 Narendra Modi regime where propaganda and ‘error 404 journalism’ -- where older, critical news stories are deliberately removed -- have increasingly gained currency. She also urged journalists to put their heads together to make use of technological innovations that would make a difference.Senior journalist N. Madhavan Kutty moderated the session. A series of seminars and talks on media-related themes was organised on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the N. Narendran memorial lecture series. Published - August 07, 2026 11:39 pm IST