Media Landscape & Challenges - India ranks 151st out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, highlighting concerns about press freedom despite being the largest democracy [3] - India has the highest number of internet shutdowns globally as of 2022, contrasting with its status as the second-largest internet user base [3] - Traditional TV news is considered the least trusted source of news, while YouTube consumption has grown by 70% in the last 3 years [8] - WhatsApp is an unofficial news broadcaster with over 487 million users [8] - Independent journalism struggles due to the difficulty in getting people to pay for news, even for small amounts like 99 rupees (approximately $120) a month [9] The Speaker's Media Entrepreneurship Journey - The speaker started a digital media portal in 2019, focusing on truth rather than virality [11] - The speaker's media platform has reached 42 billion views in the last year [27] The Importance of Media Literacy & Journalism - Media literacy is a crucial survival skill in today's information age [17] - Influencers are not journalists; speed is not the primary focus of journalism, rigor, accountability, and ethics are [17][18] - Journalism is a public service that should be respected [20] - The erosion of news and media requires audience accountability [22] - The audience should be informed and educated, questioning the information they receive and verifying its source before sharing [23][24]

Company Overview - Gray Media has appointed Eric Walters as the General Manager of KNOE and KAQY-LD, effective September 1, 2025 [1] - Gray Media, Inc. is the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the U.S., reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households [6] Eric Walters' Background - Eric Walters is currently the General Manager of KMVT (CBS) and KSVT-LD (FOX) in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he successfully increased ratings and digital content [3] - Previously, he served as the News Director of WDBJ (CBS) and WZBJ-LD (MyNetwork) in Roanoke, Virginia, achieving significant ratings growth and winning multiple awards [4] - Before joining Gray in 2020, he was the news director for CBS affiliate WBTW in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and was named News Director of the Year in 2019 [5] Gray Media's Market Position - Gray Media operates in 113 television markets, with 78 markets having the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first or second highest-rated station in 2024 [6] - The company also has the largest Telemundo Affiliate group, covering 44 markets [6]