Scientific, Data-Driven Journalism Essential in Combating Disinformation, N. Ram States

In an era of widespread misinformation, scientific approaches to journalism remain vital for maintaining credibility and combating bias, according to veteran journalist N. Ram. Speaking at The Hindu Lit for Life 2026 in Chennai on Saturday, Ram emphasized that data-driven reporting serves as a powerful tool in verifying facts and preserving journalistic integrity.

Ram, Director of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited, participated in a panel discussion titled ‘Skewed Perception: Fighting Bias in Journalism’ alongside authors Rukmini S. and Samanth Subramanian, with The Hindu’s New Delhi Resident Editor Varghese K. George moderating the conversation.

“Journalism must adopt a scientific method of examining facts, analyzing them, and arriving at reasoned conclusions,” Ram stated, addressing how various perspectives can interpret the same information differently. “In a pluralistic society, people come from different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. But truth has an intrinsic value. Facts can be verified, challenged, and investigated.”

Ram also expressed concern about the role of digital platforms in spreading false information. “Social media today weaponizes falsehood, hate, and toxicity,” he noted, adding that these problems extend beyond social media to traditional news outlets as well.

Rukmini S., known for her work in data journalism, highlighted a growing challenge in the media landscape – the erosion of public trust in information sources. This skepticism, she explained, has led many people to question all information, regardless of its credibility.

“Data journalism is one of the strongest areas of Indian journalism today and world-class work is being produced daily,” Rukmini said. However, she identified a critical gap in newsrooms: “The link that needs to be made from the perspectives that are coming from data to the data itself is work that newsrooms have not done enough work on.”

Addressing the issue of bias, Subramanian acknowledged that journalists inevitably bring their personal backgrounds into their work. “Journalists are humans. They come with backgrounds, contexts, and prejudices,” he said. The key question, he suggested, is how reporters can ensure fairness despite these inherent biases.

The conversation also explored institutional bias, with Subramanian noting that media organizations themselves operate within particular social and historical frameworks. “Institutions are also biased in many ways. Some of it may be known to the people inside, some of it may be known to the people outside. But that acknowledgement should happen,” he emphasized.

Ram pointed to India’s concerning position in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, criticizing what he described as the Modi government’s intolerance toward press freedom. “Yet there is resistance,” he added, noting that southern India generally maintains more space for critical journalism compared to other regions.

Discussing data journalism specifically, Rukmini cautioned against the dangers of incomplete understanding and communication. “A major part of my work is to convince people that India has high-quality data, and that blanket suspicion of all data is lazy and unhelpful,” she explained.

The panel concluded with Ram calling for journalism to reclaim its essential role in democratic societies – shaping public opinion and defending fundamental rights. He cited The Hindu’s Data Point column as an example of how data analysis can effectively counter bias, particularly highlighting the publication’s work on electoral roll revisions.

The conversation comes at a critical time for Indian journalism, as the industry faces mounting challenges from digital disruption, political pressure, and changing public trust in media institutions. By emphasizing scientific methods and transparent data analysis, the panelists suggested a path forward for maintaining journalistic integrity in an increasingly complex information landscape.

The Hindu Lit for Life 2026, where this discussion took place, continues to serve as an important forum for literary and journalistic discourse in India, bringing together prominent voices to address pressing issues facing media and society.