Ramon Magsaysay awardee Ravish Kumar talks about the struggles of being a journalist in India

Indian journalist Ravish Kumar got real about what it's like to be a journalist in India.

"In Indian media, it's just shameless. Shameless is a very civilized word," he said in a roundtable discussion with I-Witness host and GMA Vice President for Professional Development Howie Severino, along with other officials and personnel from GMA News and Public Affairs.

Kumar, who is from the New Delhi Television Network (NDTN), was among the awardees of the Ramon Magsaysay award this year.

According to Dano Tingcungco's report on GMA News' Balitanghali, Saturday, he was honored for his contribution in the media industry, specifically for giving voice to the voiceless.

"If you see the condition of press today in India, it confirms every kind of doubt on authoritarianism. They’re spreading empty minority hatred every night," Kumar said.

According to Kumar, it's very difficult to be a reporter in India since not only are there numerous alleged propaganda spreading in favor of the government, there are also numerous threats, both in terms of livelihood and security against reporters.

Kumar said that in his own program in NDTN, he doesn't follow the procedure for breaking news since this is frequently used for propaganda.

"Because the government is very smart. It creates an image of breaking news kind of illusion so I know I will I will never fall in that trap. If it is very genuine I will do that," he said.

According to the journalist, he and his team analyzes issues they think should definitely be talked about in India and they report it in a way the people would easily understand.

For Kumar, it is extremely important for journalists to give the public a voice so that their participation in their democracy doesn't just end in elections.

"We need to make them stakeholders in democracy first, then we may cry to save the democracy in front of them," he said.

—Kaela Malig/JCB, GMA News