The Hindu's Suhasini Haidar: Journalists must have the right to report what they see

Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Editor for The Hindu, emphasized the critical need for journalists to have the freedom to report their observations without fear, a crucial step in rebuilding public trust in media. She identified self-censorship among journalists as a more significant crisis than direct government censorship in the current era. Speaking at the Bengal Delta Conference-2026 in Dhaka, organized by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), Haidar noted a shift from overt pressures like government bans and owner influence in the past to a more internalized form of media control.

Haidar stressed that despite the proliferation of cameras and social media, professional journalism remains indispensable. She argued that media outlets must provide reliable information, analysis, and context to earn public trust. The core function of journalism, she stated, is to report reality, verify information, present all sides, contextualize events, and hold power accountable. She also linked the rise of populist and authoritarian leaders globally since the 2008 economic crisis to increased pressure on pluralism, human rights, NGOs, and independent journalism, a reality faced by reporters worldwide.

To ensure media sustainability, Haidar suggested leveraging technology and AI to reduce costs and shifting towards reader-funded revenue models instead of relying solely on advertising. This, she believes, would reduce accountability to governments and corporate interests, fostering greater journalistic independence. The conference also featured insights from senior Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, who questioned the Western media model as an ideal and advocated for self-defined standards, and former Daily Star Consulting Editor Kamal Ahmed, who lamented the decline in substantive reporting, calling for more actual journalism over mere 'talking shops'.