70% of Indian News Consumers Now Rely on Social Media for News: Smruti Koppikar
Pune, 25th November 2025: 70% of Indian news consumers now rely on social media for news, with nearly three out of four preferring smartphones to access information. This shift has led to an era dominated by influencers and personality-driven content, where individuals with no journalistic training or accountability shape public opinion, said Ms. Smruti Koppikar, Senior Journalist and Founder Editor of Question of Cities.
Symbiosis International (Deemed University), in association with the Pune International Centre (PIC), hosted the 9th Dileep Padgaonkar Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, 25th November 2025 at the Symbiosis Vishwabhavan Auditorium, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune. Ms. Smruti Koppikar, Senior Journalist and Founder Editor of Question of Cities was invited as the Speaker for this Lecture. The topic of her lecture was “Resurrecting the Fourth Pillar: Platforming Silenced Voices.” The session was chaired by Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, FRS, President PIC. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Founder & President Symbiosis and Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) presided over the function. Latika Padgaonkar, Dr Ramakrishnan Raman, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International University were the other distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion.
In her thought-provoking lecture, Ms. Koppikar highlighted the deepening crisis in journalism amid the explosive rise of social media platforms. She observed that today, authoritative experts and unverified online creators often appear equally credible on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, creating confusion for audiences and eroding trust.
Ms. Koppikar stressed that unlike traditional newsrooms—bound by processes, ethical checks and public accountability—social media platforms openly distance themselves from responsibility for misinformation. She referred to Facebook’s stance in US Senate hearings, where the company clarified that it is “a tech platform, not a news organisation,” thereby absolving itself of accountability for fake news.
Highlighting the resulting breakdown of trust among readers and audiences, she urged the media fraternity to rebuild journalism through collective efforts, community engagement and by platforming voices historically ignored by mainstream media.
“The journalism of tomorrow belongs to communities that have been excluded, harmed or neglected. Reimagining journalism as a public service and a public good is essential to resurrecting the fourth pillar of democracy,” she said.
Dr. Ruchi Kher Jaggi, Dean, Faculty of Media and Communication, Symbiosis International University delivered the welcome address, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Nitin Gadkari, Director , PIC gave the vote of thanks and Lisa Pingale was the anchor of the program.
