Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu called journalism a “mirror” to the contemporary happening in a society, asking journalists to “never shirk from the core principles of journalism like independence and objectivity and shun unhealthy practices such as sensationalism”. He was speaking at the inauguration of Delhi School of Journalism on Thursday in Delhi University.
Naidu, while addressing the budding journalists of the newly opened school, advised them to keep away from the practice of mixing news with views, partisan reportage and paid news. “The sooner such practices are eliminated the better it would be for journalists and the society at large,” he said.
“Journalism has always been looked upon as a mission to serve people — primarily, it is a public service. Journalism is ultimately a ‘unique vocation’ to serve the truth and hold a mirror to the contemporary happenings in a society,” he added.
Naidu, who is also the chancellor of DU, stressed that freedom of expression was “not absolute”. He said it comes with reasonable restrictions that must be respected by journalists.