Combination of Social Media and Traditional Media is the Best Solution in the Current Scenario: Mahfuz Anam

Pune, 25th November 2021: As the name suggests social media is bringing people together. Initially, the use of social media was restricted for interacting within the groups but now it has been reached to billions of people around the globe. It encourages the power of gathering. it has democratized the space for discussion. It has made the views flow. It has the interactive process which the traditional media does not have said, Mahfuz Anam, Editor-Publisher, The Daily Star, Bangladesh.

Today, Symbiosis International University and Pune International Centre jointly organized the 5th Dileep Padgaonkar Memorial Lecture. Mahfuz Anam was invited as the Guest Speaker. His topic for the Lecture was “Social Media Vs Traditional Journalism- An Existential Tussle.

The session was chaired by Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, President, PIC and presided over by Dr SB Mujumdar, Founder & President, Symbiosis and Trustee PIC.

Speaking at the lecture, Anam mentioned the strengths and weaknesses of Social Media he said, with the help of social media people can express their views which is a new thing. A common person can talk, can express his/her views and this is the biggest strength of social media. The reach and speed of social media are unmatched. Traditional media won’t be able to do it.

Talking about weaknesses, Anam said, sometimes social media is prejudiced, not fact-based, it provides misinformation, it propagates hatred. Misinform masses and nobody asks whether the information on social media is true or not which is the biggest curse. It tries to inflame.

On the other hand, traditional media keep people informed. Traditional media has the “Editorial Control”. The news which can cause tension in society will never get published. Traditional media can have control over the bad news which can cause violence. Whereas in the case of social media the Editorial control is totally dismantled. Traditional media always distributes the valued and verified information whereas social media democratizes the whole process, Anam added further. 

In our country, Special protection is given by the constitution to the only two professions- Judiciary and the Press. Our constitution protects the Press. Press serves democracy, it keeps the power in check said Anam.

Anam also said that the combination of social media and traditional media is the best solution in the current scenario. Social media has the ability to interact and it has the engagement aspect. But in the case of print and television, the engagement of readers and viewers is the biggest challenge. A print edition along with the digital edition of the Newspaper is the best option.

Talking about the threats of social media, Anam said, manipulation is the biggest threat of social media. Government, Public and Private Institutions are using social media to manipulate the facts and figures. Social media is the victim of its own success which it has got in a short span of time.

Dr Mujumdar, Founder & President, Symbiosis and Trustee PIC, in his speech mentioned that, even though social media is popular amongst the youth, journalism has a great future. Events/activities occurring in rural areas need to be promoted more than the events in urban areas. Both traditional and social media should focus on rural India.

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principle Director, Symbiosis gave opening remarks. Latika Padgaonkar gave a Vote of Thanks.