NE NEWS BUREAU
HYDERABAD, MAY 30
Behind every breaking news alert, headline and television debate is a journalist constantly working against deadlines, information overload and public scrutiny. As newsrooms become increasingly fast-paced and digitally driven, mental fatigue, burnout and emotional stress have quietly emerged as some of the profession’s biggest challenges.
The Human Side of Journalism
- More than 100 media professionals from across India participated in a unique seminar on media, meditation and societal peace at Hyderabad’s Shanti Sarovar campus.
- Telangana Media Academy Chairman K. Sreenivas Reddy urged journalists to embrace mindfulness to preserve credibility, ethical standards and mental well-being.
- Experts warned that newsroom stress, misinformation and digital overload are taking a toll on journalists’ physical and emotional health.
- Brahma Kumaris leaders highlighted the role of Rajyoga meditation in promoting clarity, compassion and responsible communication.
- The seminar concluded with a call for value-based journalism that fosters social harmony rather than division.
Recognising this reality, the Media Wing of the Brahma Kumaris organised a landmark seminar titled “Media, Meditation & Societal Peace” at its sprawling Shanti Sarovar Campus in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, bringing together journalists, editors, publishers, digital creators and communication professionals from across the country.
The event sought to answer a profound question: Can a peaceful mind create a more peaceful society?
“Media Is More Powerful Than Ever”
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, K. Sreenivas Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Media Academy, underscored the critical role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.
He described the media as the fourth pillar of society and noted that its responsibility today is perhaps greater than ever before.
He cautioned that when media loses its independence, spreads misinformation or fuels social divisions, the consequences extend far beyond newsrooms and affect the entire social fabric.
Praising the Brahma Kumaris for promoting meditation and emotional well-being, he stressed that journalists can contribute to societal peace only when they themselves cultivate inner peace through practices such as Rajyoga meditation.
Finding Calm Amid the Noise
The seminar highlighted a growing concern within the media industry—the impact of constant exposure to conflict, tragedy, deadlines and social media pressures.
Offering spiritual insights, BK Kuldeep Didi, Director of the Brahma Kumaris Hyderabad Zone, spoke about the transformative power of words and communication.
She emphasized that positive change through media becomes possible only when communication emerges from a place of purity, balance and inner strength.
She encouraged media professionals to connect with higher values and use their influence to spread constructive and uplifting narratives.
Stress: The Silent Health Threat in Newsrooms
Adding a medical perspective, Renowned physician Dr. Sachin Pareb from Mumbai highlighted how chronic stress has become a major contributor to heart disease, hypertension, anxiety and emotional imbalance.
He urged journalists to pay greater attention to their lifestyle habits, sleep quality, nutrition and digital consumption patterns.
According to him, true wellness extends beyond physical fitness and includes emotional, mental and social health.
His practical suggestions included reducing mobile phone usage before bedtime, maintaining healthy routines and embracing relaxation practices to counter the effects of continuous professional pressure.
Journalism with Values and Purpose
Senior journalist Gowri Shankar reflected on the growing absence of peace in modern life, attributing it partly to society’s relentless pursuit of money, fame and instant gratification.
He expressed concern over the unchecked growth of misinformation on social media platforms and advocated stronger value-based education and awareness programmes across age groups.
Through a video message from Mount Abu, Rajyogi BK Karuna, Chairperson of the Media Wing of Brahma Kumaris, reminded participants that journalists possess a unique ability to influence public consciousness and societal attitudes.
Peace Begins Within
Delivering one of the seminar’s central messages, BK Sushant Bhai, National Media Coordinator of Brahma Kumaris, said that media professionals can become powerful catalysts for positive change when they develop self-awareness and emotional resilience.
He explained that inner peace strengthens a journalist’s ability to handle pressure, make balanced decisions and create content that informs without inflaming.
Senior journalism academic Dr. Suresh Verma of Jamia Millia Islamia urged participants to embrace the timeless principles of “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” and “Bahujan Hitai Bahujan Sukhai,” emphasising that journalism should ultimately serve the larger public good.
A Call for Compassionate Journalism
Practical meditation sessions conducted by Sister Anjali and Sister Uma Rani introduced participants to techniques for stress management, emotional regulation and mindfulness.
As the seminar concluded, the message resonated clearly across the hall: in an age of relentless information and increasing social polarisation, the need for journalists to cultivate inner balance has never been greater.
The event reinforced the belief that when media professionals are guided by values, mindfulness and emotional well-being, journalism can become more than a profession—it can become a force for healing, understanding and societal progress.
For many participants, the seminar was not merely a discussion on meditation. It was a reminder that before shaping public opinion, one must first learn to nurture peace within oneself.
