Once a profession of passion and purpose, journalism in India is facing a credibility and career crisis. Low pay, poor working conditions, and growing commercial pressures have driven talent away from mainstream newsrooms. Yet, amid the decline, a new generation of independent digital journalists and platforms is keeping the spirit of truth-telling alive — proving that while the medium may change, the mission of journalism endures.
By Newswriters Editorial Desk
There was a time when journalism stood among the most respected professions in India. It drew people motivated by curiosity, courage, and a sense of public duty. For the first few decades after Independence, journalism was not just an occupation but a mission — a way to contribute to nation-building and social change. Editors were intellectual figures, reporters were known by name, and newspapers carried a sense of moral authority.
That world has changed. In today’s India, journalism is no longer the magnet for bright and idealistic youth it once was. Its reputation has fallen to the point where it is often compared — not flatteringly — with politics and the legal profession. Low salaries, job insecurity, heavy workloads, and declining credibility have made journalism one of the least attractive career choices in the media ecosystem.
The Early Years
In the decades following Independence, journalism was driven by social purpose rather than profit. Newspapers like The Hindu, The Statesman, The Indian Express, and The Times of India were led by strong editorial figures who believed journalism was a public service. The pay was modest — a young sub-editor in the 1970s or 1980s earned a fraction of what their peers in other fields did — but the job offered something money could not buy: respect and a voice in shaping public opinion.
There was space for individuality and writing flair. Editors nurtured reporters who specialized in beats — politics, rural development, education, or labour — and valued field reporting over opinion. Journalism schools were few, but many journalists came from backgrounds in literature, economics, or political science, bringing intellectual depth to their work.
The Boom Years: When Media Became an Industry
The liberalisation of the Indian economy in the 1990s changed the media landscape dramatically. Satellite television, private FM radio, and the internet created a massive expansion in news outlets. Salaries improved, and journalism became a viable career option for the urban middle class.
Large media houses such as Times Group, India Today, NDTV, and Zee expanded rapidly. English and regional newspapers launched city supplements, business dailies, and magazines. The profession began to combine idealism with financial comfort. For a time, journalism looked like it could balance credibility with commercial success.
The boom also saw the rise of journalism education. Dozens of media institutes opened, producing a steady stream of trained graduates. Newsrooms became more professional, technologically equipped, and connected to the global media ecosystem.
The Slide: Commercialisation and Collapse of Values
By the late 2000s, however, this expansion turned into excess. Advertising revenues became the lifeline of most media houses, and editorial independence began to erode. The emergence of the 24×7 television news cycle intensified the problem. News became sensational, personality-driven, and increasingly partisan.
The newsroom, once a space for rigorous debate, turned into a production line for breaking news and trending topics. Paid news, advertorials, and political patronage became common. Media ownership became concentrated in a few powerful hands — often with direct business or political interests.
While top anchors and editors became celebrities, the average reporter or sub-editor saw stagnating or even declining wages. Entry-level salaries in mainstream newsrooms today are often less than ₹25,000 a month — lower than what fresh graduates earn in PR, advertising, or digital marketing. Even experienced reporters struggle to make a sustainable living, especially in regional media.
The work culture has deteriorated sharply. Journalists work long hours, weekends are rarely off, and leaves are frequently denied. Contract employment, layoffs, and mergers have made job security a rarity. The glamour that once surrounded journalism has largely evaporated.
Why Young People Are Leaving Journalism
The result is visible in journalism schools and job markets. Enrollment in traditional journalism programs is declining, while media students increasingly opt for careers in content creation, corporate communications, public relations, or influencer marketing — all of which offer better pay and flexibility.
Many young journalists leave the newsroom within a few years to join digital marketing firms, government PR departments, or NGOs. Journalism as a full-time profession has become financially unsustainable for most, especially in metro cities with high living costs.
The New Landscape: Independent and Digital Journalism
Even as the mainstream media struggles with credibility and sustainability, new forms of journalism have emerged outside the traditional newsroom. Digital-native platforms and independent journalists are attempting to restore the profession’s credibility.
Web-based outlets like The Wire, Scroll, The Quint, Alt News, Boom Live, and Article 14 have built reputations for investigative reporting, data journalism, and fact-checking. These platforms often operate with small teams and limited budgets but rely on reader contributions, grants, and subscription models rather than advertising.
Independent journalists on YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Substack are also redefining the profession. Reporters such as Faye D’Souza, Ravish Kumar (post-NDTV), and several regional creators use digital platforms to reach audiences directly, bypassing the constraints of corporate media. Podcasts and newsletters are emerging as new tools for serious storytelling and audience engagement.
This shift is not without challenges. Independent journalism faces sustainability issues, online trolling, and legal pressure. Yet, it has revived something essential — the spirit of accountability and connection with the audience. Many young people who have lost faith in mainstream media still trust independent digital journalists who are transparent about their funding and process.
Reinvention Amid Decline
The story of journalism’s decline is also a story of reinvention. While mainstream media has lost much of its credibility and appeal as a career, new digital ecosystems are keeping the flame alive. The platforms may have changed, but the essence of journalism — telling the truth, uncovering what is hidden, and giving voice to the unheard — still survives in new forms.
For the profession to regain its respect and sustainability, the media industry must confront its own contradictions: low pay, poor working conditions, and compromised ethics. Until then, journalism will remain a passion pursued by a few — often outside the mainstream — rather than a secure or prestigious career for the many.
