The ethics of journalism

A Detailed Input By Gunjan Sharma On The Evolution And Progress Of Press

Avni Drolia, XI D & Aarna Sachdev, XII I, AIS MV

With a career spanning over a decade, Gunjan Sharma, an alumna of IIMC, is steering the Press Trust of India as its deputy chief of bureau. She is also an Asian Centre for Journalism fellow and advisor to central universities for establishing campus-based community radio stations. She is part of various panels responsible for implementing the new NEP. As she graced GT Awards 2023 as a jury member, GT reporters interacted with her. Here are a few excerpts...

The new face of journalism
The landscape of journalism has evolved significantly. When I started, opportunities for practical training were limited, so we were forced to learn the ropes on the job. Fast forward to today where we now evaluate the quality of a newcomer’s previously published work before hiring them. Amity’s initiative like The Global Times is a commendable platform addressing this requirement. In fact, media has experienced a substantial transformation. Initially, social media wasn’t prominent, but with the advent of platforms like Twitter and WhatsApp, news has become more accessible. However, it has brought along challenges like the rapid spread of misinformation. Back then, there was no concept of fake news, but in today’s landscape, discerning fact from fiction is a challenge in itself.
The relevance of the analysis
While social media has significantly altered the techniques of journalism, it cannot deny the importance of in-depth analysis and investigation that journalism actually endures. In a generation marked by shorter attention span, there is definitely a shift towards detailed analysis behind paywalls. Media outlets now offer premium analytical content, which readers are willing to pay for. This demonstrates that such reporting remains valuable and dedicated readers continue to engage with it, even in an era of evolving social media. There are, of course, concerns that media credibility has been affected by commercial interests, but most traditional media houses still remain committed to the original essence of journalism which is aimed at creating a positive change.

The challenge of fake news
In today’s digital age of AI, verifying information before accepting it as a fact is essential. For news stories or online content, seeking other perspectives is crucial. While it’s traditionally the journalist’s role to ensure accuracy, everyone must adopt a journalist’s mindset and be more discerning consumers of information. This collective effort is vital to combat fake news.
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A chat with ChatGPT

From A Teacher Who Refuses To Surrender
Education To AI Models

Priti Khullar, AIS Noida, GT Coordinator

As a language teacher, I often use icebreakers to get my students out of their shells so they become more aligned with the learning process. Just the other day, I experienced something new. With an aim to introduce my next chapter, I shared my observation about the attitude of city dwellers towards countryside people and the economic disparity in our country, focusing on the theme of the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ by Robert Frost. Not in a rush to dive into a detailed analysis and describe the poetic devices, I intended to enable the students to ponder over a society where there is a stark division between the rich and the poor. To reinforce the same, I gave them a written assignment on the topic - ‘How the poor and deprived are mindlessly ignored by the city-bred people’.
The next day, I walked into the class and read through their write-ups. “Outstanding work from ChatGPT!” “Oh my goodness, ChatGPT again!”
As a language teacher, I take delight in recognising the finer details of my student’s writing and the hard work that goes into it. I take pride in drawing morals values from each literary piece and drill the same into their minds. Perplexed by the mechanical aspect of their recent write-ups, I was left dazed. And the irony? I work so hard to polish my skills as a teacher, only to be surpassed by a machine! AI is leaving me behind like a broken-down quill pen. I practically see famous authors and poets mortified and disgruntled at the scenario.
But I won’t give up! I will support my naive students and go above and beyond to delve deeply into the literature. Sorry, ChatGPT, but the classroom is still manned by the teachers. We connect and advance the learning process through verbal and nonverbal gestures. You mustn’t make any plans to imitate the personalised touch, or else you will end up trying hard to salvage your newfound glory. Only a teacher can assist the students in imbibing values and forging ever-lasting connections. No wonder I still get warm messages from my alumni. So, here you simply lose, dear ChatGPT!
Maybe years later, when we look back on this period, we’ll laugh heartily remembering how a language model created by AI attempted to surpass our literary prowess but failed terribly. Maybe!