The vital role played by journalism in today’s times is well known. It has now adopted multidimensional forms through print, electronic, and web media and profoundly influences all spheres of life. Whether youth or elderly, men or women, educated or uneducated, all are influenced by it. Like a sentinel of society, the media’s vital role as the fourth pillar of democracy is widely acknowledged.
The main task of journalism is to disseminate the latest news and information to the public. With this, it creates public opinion and deeply influences the thinking of the masses. During the freedom struggle, journalism had played a historic role in apprising the masses of the need for freedom, stoking their intense desire to be free, and readying them to sacrifice themselves in the ensuing fight for freedom.
As time has passed, this missionary zeal in journalism has got subdued. The great standards of idealism and values in journalism that were established then have taken a backseat now. Today, journalism has become only a business. It has come under the control of big corporate houses, political parties, and their selfish agendas. But, even if it has become a business, if it is run for the good of the masses, it is okay. However, when the overall interest of the public is set aside, and journalism degenerates to presenting to the public only material that is negative, sensational, misleading, or mean, then this becomes a grave issue. After all, the media for mass communication does not just spread information but also influences the thinking, character, and nature of everyone and creates an overall opinion of the public.
In today’s times, there has been a significant loss of human values. No pillar of democracy has remained untouched by this degeneration. Moral depravity, polluted thinking, and loss of faith in ideals are today’s truths. The loss of moral values in journalism, which is supposed to be an alert protector and a strong pillar of democracy, has become a significant cause for concern. And when a solution needs to be found at deeper levels of the human psyche, it becomes essential to contemplate the adoption of spiritual techniques.
Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya has studied this problem of loss of values very intently. Why have we failed to find reasonable solutions to societal issues despite no letting up in the enormity of efforts? On deeper analysis, it becomes clear that our efforts are not directed well. Due to a lack of holistic understanding and vision of life, we cannot get down to the roots of the problems. Our efforts are like watering a plant’s leaves, fruits, and stems rather than its roots. Most of the measures are like removing darkness using darkness. According to Yugrishi, the only hope left is that a lamp is lit in the domain of spirituality that would produce light to dispel all the darkness. He says – ‘In our lives and this world, we come across a great variety of problems, and they seem to get created due to several reasons, but if we go deep, we will find that there is just one cause behind these, and that is – a lack of spiritual outlook.’
If this fact is adequately understood, it would be possible to solve many problems and difficulties using just one method. If we want to untangle ourselves from the clutches of the issues of our lives, then we will have to be brave and adopt the spiritual way of thinking and living. This is the only way to achieve everlasting happiness and peace. Without embracing spirituality, the efficacy and success of our efforts would always remain suspect. There is only one solution to all our problems – our beliefs and convictions must change. There must be an ever-increasing infusion of excellence in them. As a result, a steady rise in divine qualities must begin to reflect in our personality. This spiritual thinking and spiritual way of life alone may solve the problems that engulf us.
Against this backdrop, the incorporation of spirituality in the domain of journalism also becomes relevant and significant. It is no surprise that Yugrishi had initiated the publication of Akhand Jyoti magazine in 1940 as an instrument of thought transformation to commence the movement for the change of the era. The light that he lit continues to light up millions of lives unhindered even today.
Recognizing the importance of spirituality in everyone’s life, some experiments were initiated in the electronic media in the last few decades of the 20th century. Religious and spiritual serials like Ramayana and Mahabharata were telecast which gained tremendous popularity. Their success led to the production of many similar serials that have been telecast on all popular TV channels since then. This trend continues even today.
Similarly, in the last decade of the 20th century, a trend started in the newspapers. An article on spirituality was initially printed every day, then a weekly page, and then special supplements on spirituality were printed regularly. Likewise, in the first decade of the 21st century, a few spiritual channels started on cable TV. Then several religious, spiritual, and devotional channels sprang up. After this came the influx of internet and web media, and the explosion of material on spirituality is available on a large number of web portals now for everyone to access.
Spiritual magazines have been published for a long time. Their numbers have gone up significantly today. Each spiritual organization has its own magazine. Their contribution to the moral and spiritual upliftment of persons, families, and society is incredible. So many big and small creative movements have found fertile grounds created by these magazines.
Undoubtedly the number of possibilities in spiritual journalism are uncountable. Wise people believe that spiritual journalism can initiate the onset of a new era. For this, a big revolution is needed in the domain of mass media. A revolution where a new form of journalism and mass media will take birth which is not controlled by political parties but inspired by wise and intelligent people. The primary role of such media will be to bring to light awakened intellectuals and their refined intelligence.
Despite the great potential that exists in spiritual journalism, much needs to be done to give it a due place in mainstream media. Unfortunately, it continues to be a neglected domain. A strange silence engulfs even the thoughtful, wise class of people towards this. At the academic level as well, spirituality in journalism is only a marginal topic of interest. If it can be given its rightful importance and a proper method of teaching can be adopted, then a bright young generation of journalists can be created, which can instill new values in mainstream journalism driven by their balanced approach, positive attitude, and sharp and refined intellect.
Understanding the need for and importance of spirituality in journalism, the department of journalism and mass communications at Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar, has taken a new initiative. In the next academic session, the subject of spirituality in journalism has been included for teaching and research in the curriculum. It is planned to encourage students to pursue Ph.D. and create books on this topic. This subject will be taught in post-graduate classes. It is believed that with this effort, a new breed of spiritually inclined journalists and thinkers will be created, and the subject itself will be included in the curricula of other colleges, teaching institutes, and universities of our nation. Dev Sanskriti welcomes deserving students who wish to learn, train in, and conduct research in spiritual journalism.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine Sept-Oct 2021