The Social Responsibility approach of Hindustan Times- Effects and impact

Introduction

The primary goal of mass media is to reach out to a more extensive audience base and to enhance mass communication. Media outlets are used for transmitting information, and nowadays, the electronic media has gained popularity. It is vital to note that mass media can be of various forms such as newspapers, television, social media and the internet. In this assignment, the role of the Hindustan Times, the chosen media, shall be explored. The relationship between the media activities and a media theory selected shall be discussed as well.

Thesis statement

Mass media is an influential entity in today’s society and therefore, it has an added social responsibility towards the viewers and readers.

Supporting paragraphs

In 1956, Peterson, Schramm and Siebert developed the Social Responsibility Theory and encouraged the idea of complete freedom and less censorship. However, media outlets must be regulated based on external controls and social responsibilities. The Social Responsibility Theory states that any action of a media outlet must be guided towards the welfare of the society, environment, culture and the economy (Patel et al., 2019). The role of media should be promoting the socio-cultural and environmental aspects of the society. The concept is relatively new, and it started emerging in the 20^th century. In Europe, the theory began to take shape, and the Commission on the Freedom of Press, the US supported the emergence of the concept in 1949. The theory outlines that the produced content should be filtered, and with the emergence of the theory, media outlets started to develop professionalism. The press started to follow a code of conduct.

Facts are now being presented with a proper interpretation based on reality. Now, media has the added responsibility of eradicating social problems.

Hindustan Times is the chosen media and analysis of the impact of the media shall be done. It is India’s most reputed and respected English dailies. Mahatma Gandhi, in 1924 inaugurated the flagship newspaper, and since then, it has set pioneering standards in the field of journalism (Hindustan Times, 2020). For about a century, HT has been breaking grounds and changing public perceptive positively. In other words, it performs a public service by focussing on news that can eradicate the social problems prevalent in society. The owner of this news daily is HT Media Ltd. It is mainly circulated in India and editions are published in Mumbai, Patna, New Delhi, Lucknow as well as Chandigarh.

After conducting a keyword search on “civil society” on Hindustan Times, more than 1500 results arrived, and one of the influential articles identified was named, “An engaging civil society can alter the social fabric of a city” (Hindustan Times, 2019). Further search offered similar results and real issues troubling the Indian citizens at present have been presented with facts and interpretation. The Social Responsibility Theory can be related to the approach taken by the Hindustan Times while presenting information to the public. The emphasis of the gathered news articles was upon the existing sense of social responsibility.

Personally, I realized that HT news has been focussing on collaboration and the importance of united action. The news concerning the significance of collaborative effort of the civil society and a city’s rapid growth is a vital attempt to create awareness of the public. For example, I was influenced by the media channel after reading the news on the positive impact of collaborative approach of a country’s citizens. I started volunteering for an NGO and started participating in the various social causes. I have realized that the city of the millennial has been exploding with real estate, and people are doing enough for creating a sustainable, equitable, empowered and inclusive society.  Issues in our society exist because of poor access to housing, health facilities and education. These issues should not be underestimated. Therefore, participating in NGO campaigns and taking “Green” initiatives is the need of the hour. The Social Responsibility Theory also states that media should avoid taking a contradictory approach while writing about any social activities (Gasher, Lorimer & Skinner, 2012). This theme has been consistently present in the information provided by HT newspapers. Media has an added responsibility of avoiding bias while presenting news. HT newspapers understand the responsibility and thereby managed to maintain its reputation over a decade. Spreading wrong news is also unethical as far as the Social Responsibility Theory is concerned. I have realized that media outlets can provide a platform for the marginalized and voiceless section of the society. Therefore, promoting and publishing truth has been the motto of the newspaper. It would be right to claim that HT reinforces the values and ethical principles actively.

Conclusion

The assignment is based on a selected media theory and its relation with a chosen media outlet. The extent to which the media outlet aligns its practices with the theory has been explored. Personal examples have been highlighted after understanding the effect of the media.

 

 

References

An engaging civil society can alter the social fabric of a city. (2019). Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 February 2020, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/an-engaging-civil-society-can-alter-the-social-fabric-of-a-city/story-caj2qlQxQdKCI7af3eMV6K.html

Gasher, M., Lorimer, R., & Skinner, D. (2012). Mass communication in Canada. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Hindustan Times. (2020). Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 February 2020, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/

Patel, A., Nash, R., Guedhami, O., & El Ghoul, S. (2019). New Evidence on the Role of the Media in Corporate Social Responsibility.