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Media: The 4th Wheel Of Indian Democracy? | Whispering Silence

Whispering Silence
RA NDO M MUSI NG S

Jul

20

Media: The 4th Wheel Of Indian Democracy? 20

I would rather have a completely free press with all the
dangers involved in the wrong use of that freedom than a suppressed
or regulated press.
So said our 1st Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Like all the ideals
& dreams of our erstwhile great leaders, this too has met a cruel fate.
The Indian media has no doubt carved a niche for itself & reserves a
strong hold on the public. The concept of freedom as demarcated by
the Indian Constitution in Art.19(1)(a) that gives us Freedom of
Speech & Expression, has been thoroughly utilized by the media. I
refrain from saying mis-utilized, as the debate about the alleged
misuse of freedom by media is still an open discussion.
Lets give the Indian Media a fair trial:
The modern tech-savvy media is accused of being meddlesome. It
seems to turn up in all the wrong places, at the wrong times & speak
volumes on all topics having first labeled them as Breaking News. No
matter what you do-turn on the TV, tune in to radio or surf the
internet, you cant escape the news onslaught.
This information overload puts a question mark on the credibility and
the professionalism of the media. The pressure of increasing TRPs of
their news channels seems to be the fuel that propels the journalists
to indulge in cut-throat competition to grab first hand news. In this
race the relevance of the news they are covering and the manner in
which they are telecast, is lost.
24X7 news channels running updates on the Breaking News
repeatedly flaunt their exclusive videos footage or interview every
random person who is willing, to give their valued opinion on the topic.

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Media: The 4th Wheel Of Indian Democracy? | Whispering Silence

Is this true journalism? When airing news about a victim, do they

really have to show footage of the victims parents or relatives
moaning in grief? It seems that media has forgotten about the
humanistic approach that needs to be taken when telecasting news.
The manner in which the media had meddled in the 26/11 attacks,
telecasting strategic positioning of the commandos is just one glaring
example of their folly.
Sting Operations:
The latest trick to increase TRP! Sting operations are carried out left,
right & center throwing concerns about protection of privacy to the
air. A sting operation is rightly carried out by a law-enforcement
officer & a member of public who has willingly assented to help trap
the criminal. The media however has pinned on the police badge & is
now the new crusader of law.
This however compromises the reputation of many, and has brought
many careers crashing to ground. Like the recent case of a Bollywood
B-grade star. Cases like Kharak Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh and
Others & Gobind v. State of Madhya Pradesh and Another, have finally
lead to the inclusion of the Right to privacy as an integral part of the
Right to personal liberty under the humanistic expansion of the Art21
of the Constitution. Lets see if this turns out to be just another Right
that the press ignores.
Free Press Vs. Fair Trial:
The concept of Janta Adalat has lead to a serious conflict between
free press & fair trial by the judiciary.
Indian media leaves no stone unturned in its quest for gripping news.
And what better news to grab viewership than an on going trial?
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 and Articles 129 and 215 of the
Constitution of India are meant to protect the right of a citizen to
have a fair trial i.e. a trial uninfluenced by extraneous pressures. But
the realm of aggressive journalism has severely compromised this
right.
Instances of media uncovering evidences & prejudicing the public
opinion are not new. This leads to serious miscarriage of justice. In
their relentless investigations & publicizing of the same, they spare
neither the seasoned criminal nor the innocent victim. Both their
images are splashed in their channels. Even the witnesses & the kit &
kin of the victims are not spared. Witness protection is seriously
endangered and so is the likability of the victim ever returning to
normal life.
Now for the good acts:
The media may bias justice, it may broadcast senseless news for
hours on end, but one thing that cannot be denied is that media
forms the 4th wheel of the Indian democracy. With a secular state
like ours with varied beliefs & traditions, a strong & independent media
can mobilize us for the right cause.
The true spirit of journalism is showcased in instances such as the
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Media: The 4th Wheel Of Indian Democracy? | Whispering Silence

Bofors case and the HDW (Howaldswerske) marine case. Through

media only the case of Narasimha Rao bribing the Jharkhand Mukti
Morcha MPs, was revealed. Sting operations carried in the right spirit
had resulted in the success of Operation Duryodhana in which MPs
were caught taking bribe to raise questions in the Parliament. Similarly
the Tehelka case had led the CBI to file a chargesheet against those
who took the bribe.
As observed by the Delhi High Court in the Bofors case, the media
plays a vital role in making the public aware of what is happening in
their country. It can be rightly said that media is instrumental in
making people aware of their rights & freedoms.
Moreover by telecasting such news media is in a way reducing the
crime rate as more & more people disapprove of criminal behavior. As
such it also facilitates public discussions on important issues.
Every Right or Freedom has its boundaries & cannot be adjudged as
absolute in any manner. While exercising ones right it should be kept
in mind that one shouldnt encroach on anothers freedom. The media
needs to be self-regulatory & humanitarian in its approach to the way
it treats news. Only then the concept of Free Press can be realized.
As of now the conclusion cant be drawn. I believe in giving the media
a second chance in proving its mettle in the true spirit of journalism.
What remains to be seen is whether media continues to indulge in
responsible & professional journalism or the craving for TRPs &
viewership rides over the right to freedom of press.

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