It's been a very long
time since I posted my last article. Recently the world observed 3rd May as
"World press freedom day". I came to know about this when my sister who is a
journalism student post about it on facebook. There were few
comments of her friends who criticized the press. This left me with no choice
but to write on this topic. Journalism is considered the biggest ideological
weapon and its history is long. Newspapers have always been the primary medium
of journalists since 1600, with magazines came in the 18th century, radio and
television in the 20th, and the Internet in the 21st century.
History stores the
extensive role played by journalism not in India but in the entire World. The
Independence movement of various countries, the revolutions around the globe
and social activism are helped by journalism to people to reach the
destination. The freedom of this profession always tried to suppressed by the
monarchist, dictators, and ruling regimes. Every ruler tries to take remote in
their hands to control it. But press is effective only when it is free to
express. It is well said by the Nobel Prize winner journalist Albert Camus that
"A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without
freedom, the press will never be anything but bad". According to
press freedom index India comes in the category of countries where press is in
difficult situation. India ranks 140th position in terms of freedom of press.
It's not a good indication in a vibrant democracy like us where media is
considered so called "Fourth Pillar of democracy". Journalism is a
great source of information and empowers the people if it is free from any
censorship. But question is: Is it free in our country?
The Constitution of
India provides the right to freedom. The right to freedom in guarantees the
Freedom of speech and expression. But recently Doordarshan had edited
out portions from Modi's interview created a massive controversy. It's
clearly seems that National news broadcaster is still not acquired complete
autonomy from MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting). Yes Indian
constitution enables the legislature to impose certain restrictions on free
speech under some heads likes security of the country, public order and
sovereignty and integrity of India etc, but to censor media for playing
politics is not good for healthy democracy. When few months ago Penguin India
withdrawn all copies of Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History from
the Indian market erupted same controversy in media world over the freedom of
speech. In this matter not only the government
is but the people of this country equally responsible. We are actually losing
an opportunity to enjoy this right. We can easily lose our mental state by
just listening to other's view especially when the matter of discussion
centered to religion. Democracy allows people to express their views
and thoughts. Recently in general elections the picture seems opposite. Today's
Netas are not cool minded as they are supposed to and like what kind of Netas
born earlier. The increment in the personal attack also had broken
many records in this poll season.
This could be one side
of the paper but on another side media is not completely clean. Media in
country did a lot to uphold the voice of people but in a decade after
the technology changed the scenario it's very important for press
to raise the standards through a
code of conduct. There are so many
news mediums are available in country but sometimes we see the content shown by
some TV news channels are not as much as important or needless. In a
race to raise the TRP, media is hurting their image. This should be stop and
here Press council of India can play an important role. It would
be better for media and the viewer if the media regulates themselves and understood the nature of content required. Many a times we
saw the competition to report the event or any big happening by reporters
rules out the moral values. I'm also against the entry polls surveys conducted by the
news houses before the election. They are free to do that but it definitely
influences the mind of voters. This distraction of mind of voters are harmful
for democracy. In this election paid news are big point
of controversy and this is a new threat which deepens their roots strong. In a recent judgment The Supreme
Court said that "the Election Commission is empowered to probe into the
allegations of paid news if the expenses for the same are not being reflected
in the election return filed by the candidate". This shows that the paid
news is a big problem and commendable steps should be taken to stop this. Media
must not bias to anyone but they must show what is right because media is doing most important service of
educating people.
Society is influenced by
media in so many ways. It has played significant role in strengthening the
society. Media is considered as mirror of the modern society. The purpose
of the media is to inform people about current new affairs and to tell about
the latest gossip and fashion and many more. Here I believe there are need to
change content pattern in the media especially in print media. If we compare
our newspapers with the western counterparts, we find we have more reports on
politics than science and technology. The double way communication with the
viewers and readers are also need of modern time. That's why social media is
playing a huge role in today's world. No doubt, overall Indian press is doing
exceptionally well but some issues are yet to tackle immediately to increase
the credibility and to improve image of Indian media among people and the
world. Media is greatly done in this 16th Loksabha election which result the
highest voter turnout in Indian polling history. This is a good sign that our
media and democracy are maturing. Important
issues during the campaign included rising prices, corruption, economy and
security, infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water were raised by
media which helped voters to vote smartly. Indian democracy is on its way
towards maturity and the is great responsibility on
shoulders of media to play its critical role to educate people because history
have this quote said by great journalist Joseph
Pulitzer that "Republic and its press will rise or fall together".
- Prateek Dixit
