Role Of Media

After the legislature, executive & judiciary, media is regarded as the ' fourth pillar of democracy.' Media is considered as a watchdog of democracy, but is it?

Isn't it ironic that instead of claiming our nation to be democratic, government officials compel the press to apologise for what they print? Or arrest someone for posting a video on their social media handle?

Is this the right to speech we are talking about?

The answer is a big 'NOOOOOOOOOO!!!'

History

During pre-independence period, print media i.e. newspaper acted as a platform to raise the demands of common Indian and to express solitude with freedom fighters.

With the advent of television in the late 70’s, visual media has emerged as a potential tool in keeping people up to date. The World Wide Web has given rise to electronic media where everyone can express their views through blogs, website posts, facebook and twitter like social media. Coupled with traditional print media all these form a richly diversified media industry in India.

Role of Media

Our policymakers gave media full autonomy & made it an independent body free from any kind of political interference. Because they know that it's for the good of the society as media is as essential as basic needs as it helps us to keep a check on the activities of the ruling party which is inevitable for a free economy. It's a sword arm of democracy. Media plays a credible role in creating and shaping of the public opinion and thereby, the strengthening of the society. Politicians trying to take benefit of their positions leads to the creation of an evil nexus of mafia and crime syndicate making the life of the common folk not less than hell.Here comes the role of media! Media has a powerful role to play against injustice, oppression, misdeeds and partiality in the society. From the day's abode, the media plays a vital role in human civilization. Media helps in fighting against corruption, red-tapism, nepotism & many more.

From exposing commonwealth to 2-G scams, media acted as a catalyst in compelling government to seek action.Who can forget the crusade taken by Indian media in the Nirbhaya rape case and gathering mass support in one of the most heinous crimes the world has ever witnessed. Without media, people won't be able to get informed about what schemes & policies the government is framing. All the information is spread through length & breadth of the world from business to entertainment.

Way Ahead

But media can also be used as a weapon of mass destruction. With media attaining new heights of freedom, the media is becoming slightly out of control and also partial. It has become tainted with signs of extreme biasness.

Sometimes, the media oversteps it's limits & misuses the autonomy. Instead of presenting information as it is, they add spices & paint it to cater more people. It leaves people in the dark by relying on false facts & news. Recently, the arbitrary arrest of journalist Prashant Kanojia reflects a disregard for liberty by the ruling party.

No doubt media helps in making the world a global village but presently, it has been transformed into a commercialised sector selling & modifying according to their needs to gain popularity. If the media doesn't work positively, time is not far for dictatorship to establish!!!