"I have always believed that the first loyalty of a journalist must be towards the people the nation. A journalist should be independent from any individual, party and organisations," Kalam said while addressing students of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication here.
"While there should be no compromise on reporting the truth, media houses should exercise restraint when it comes to reporting news that may affect national interest, social fabric and peace in the society," he said.
This is particularly important in a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural democracy like India, he said.
Indian media has shown remarkable progress in news content, technological enhancements, citizen interface and innovative methods to motivate people and organisations who contribute to society, the former President said.
India is a country of diversity which has some of the richest people in the world and at the same time we have to uplift 400 million people now living below the poverty line. The country has made substantial progress in space programme, IT and pharmaceutical missions but at the same time we are yet to make all Indians literate, he said.
The country has outstanding women who have shown their capabilities in many fields but at the same time violence against women and children continues to pain every right thinking citizen, he noted. (MORE)