By Sonu Tyagi, Founder, Go Spiritual & Approach Entertainment
Abu Road, September 29, 2025 – Manohar Manoj, a veteran journalist, author, and anti-corruption activist, delivered a thought-provoking address on “Ethical AI and Social Media for an Ideal Future of Journalism” during a dialogue session at the Brahmakumaris National Media Conference. Speaking at the organization’s Shantivan headquarters, Manoj urged media professionals to harness AI’s power while embedding ethical principles to combat misinformation and restore public trust in an era dominated by digital platforms.
With over three decades as a Government of India-accredited journalist, Manoj has edited and published Economy India, a premier monthly magazine on economic affairs, bringing out more than 200 issues. His career also includes stints at major newspapers like Bhaskar and Sahara. An MA in Economics (topping his class at Bihar University in 1990) and holder of a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (1991-92), Manoj specializes in Indian economy, political economy, socio-economic issues, corruption, media ethics, and public policies. As Executive Member and Media Head of the Indian Economic Association, and Founder Coordinator of the Bharat Parivartan Abhiyan—a nationwide campaign against corruption—he brings unparalleled insight to discussions on systemic reform.
In his session, Manoj highlighted AI’s transformative potential for journalism, drawing from his extensive work as a columnist in over a dozen publications, blogger on RAJARTHA (manoharmanoj.blogspot.com), and YouTuber anchoring Satya-Asatya-Ardhasatya. “AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a mirror reflecting our ethical commitments,” he asserted. “In my books—like A Crusade Against Corruption on the Neutral Path (two volumes) and A Dialogue on System Change—I’ve chronicled how systemic flaws erode trust. Similarly, unregulated AI can amplify biases, deepfakes, and echo chambers on social media, turning platforms meant for connection into breeding grounds for division.”
Manoj emphasized the need for “ethical guardrails” in AI adoption, citing real-world examples from socio-economic reporting. “As someone who’s covered corporate India and public policies for decades, I’ve seen how algorithms can unearth hidden corruption patterns or predict policy impacts—if trained on transparent, unbiased data,” he explained. “But without human oversight, AI risks becoming an ‘invisible puppeteer,’ manipulating narratives for corporate or political gain. Journalists must demand AI audits, fact-checking integrations, and diverse data sourcing to ensure fairness.”
Turning to social media, Manoj critiqued its current state: “What began as a democratizing force now prioritizes virality over veracity. In the Bharat Parivartan Abhiyan, we’ve used digital tools to expose graft, but we’ve also witnessed troll farms and fake news undermining our efforts. The solution lies in self-regulation: AI literacy training for reporters, collaborations between media bodies and tech giants, and advocacy for robust data privacy laws.”
Aligning his vision with Brahmakumaris’ philosophy of inner peace fostering outer harmony, Manoj concluded: “True journalism, like Rajyoga, starts with self-awareness. By wielding AI as a ‘sword of truth’ rather than a shield for the corrupt, we can build an ideal future—one where technology serves humanity’s quest for unity and trust. This conference is a clarion call: Let media lead the ethical AI revolution.”
The session, part of the conference’s focus on peace, unity, and trust, inspired lively Q&A exchanges among the 1,500+ attendees. As the event wraps up today, September 30, Manoj’s insights resonate as a blueprint for resilient, spiritually grounded journalism in the digital age.
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