No need to oppose influencers as long as purpose of journalism is not compromised: Barkha Dutt

Content formats and media platforms may change, but the soul of journalism remains unchanged, journalist Barkha Dutt said here on Friday (January 23, 2026). She was speaking after receiving the 2025 Chavara Media Award for lifetime contribution to journalism, instituted by the Department of Journalism, Sacred Heart (SH) College, Thevara.

Ms. Dutt said there was no need to oppose influencers and content creators as long as their work serves the core purpose of journalism. However, she expressed concern over the absence of traditional gatekeeping and the lack of rigorous fact-checking in contemporary media practices. She stressed that factual verification and ethical responsibility must go hand in hand.

Fr. Benny Nalkkara, provincial of Sacred Heart Congregation, Fr. Varghese Kachappilly, manager of SH Institutions, college Principal Prof. C.S. Biju, Babu Joseph, Belbin P. Baby, and Minna Andrews addressed the gathering.