Constitution of India

Report on:

“Freedom of Press is a Misnomer for the

Indian Constitution”

Prepared by: MBA Tech – IT, 3rd year

Ghanshyam Bheda 104
Mansi Desai 107
Akshay Dutta108
Ghanshyam Gupta 109
Maitreyee Shukla 122
Akash Shah 127
Ankur Joshi 129
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the group, “Ghanshyam Bheda (104), Mansi Desai (107),
Akshay Dutta (108), Ganshyam Gupta (109), Maitreyee Shukla (122), Akash
Shah (127) & Ankur Joshi (129)” of MBA (Tech) IT--Trimester Vll--MPSTME,
have successfully completed the Report on “Freedom of Press is a Misnomer
for the Indian Constitution””.

(Mr.)

DATE:
Contents:
What is the Moral Duty of the Press ??
With freedom comes responsibility. Freedom of the Press was one of the constitutional guarantees
persistently demanded by India’s freedom fighters during British colonial rule. The Media in India
enjoys a great amount of freedom and seems flourishing. But don’t you think that the Indian Media
in the current times, is misusing their freedom? That they have strayed their path from responsible
journalism? It is time to know what you think of the Indian Media in the current times.

The media has a moral duty that goes beyond the routine "displaying facts and interviewing people
and doing sms polls". The Moral duties are as follows:

 Exposing corruption / inefficiency of Govt. – asking questions, gathering public opinion.

 Exposing the ill-practices in :
1) Religion: witch doctors, solar eclipse, child illness etc.
2) Society: female infanticide, dowry, caste violence, rural / poor people's problem,
Maoists.
 National integration by covering all problems from each part of the country.
 Educating people about the matters of international / scientific / medical importance.
 Cherishing the achievements of
1) Honest citizens/officers (and politicians, if any) / social workers /

inventors/scientists/etc.

2) Sportsmen and women (other than cricketers)

3) Army men living in harsh weather conditions of border

What is the media doing now-a-days ?

Previously there was 'Large Hydron Collider', and the media predicted the end of the World.
And instead of directly giving the mission details, they'd sensationalize everything like:

 Kya ye Maut ki machine hai? (क्या ये मौत कि मशीन है ?) [Is it the machine of
death?]
 Kya hoga Dharti ka aant issse (क्या होगा धरती का अंत ईससे?) [Will it cause the end
of the world?]

Now after giving an introduction like this, their host starts talking, and the exact details and
purpose of the entire Hydron mission will be given at the end of the program (only for 5
minutes) but for the rest 25 minutes, they'll talk in detail about all the negative things and
possibilities regarding the mission.
Result of that Hydron coverage

1) One man died of heart attack watching it.

2) Another teen girl committed suicide thinking this was going to end the world.
3) Masses run to holy rivers, holy temples and holy priests: offer prayer, rituals,
donations – This time, money and work hours could have been used in something
more productive.

26/11
Reading reports about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai sent shivers down my spine. Seeing the news
on television made me realize the agony. But there was a different side to this story unfolding on
television. News reports continually focused on each and every move of the terrorist attacks at Taj
and all the other areas of Mumbai. People remained glued to their television sets as the dreadful
drama unfolded on television. While brave officers lost their lives, television journalists held
microphones before distraught people to know their reactions. Every minute, channels gave ‘live
coverage’ about Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attacks. As ‘Breaking News’ flashed across all the television
channels, one wondered if it was ‘yet another scoop’! Brave journalists rushed with their
cameramen to capture live footage of terrorism in Mumbai. But then, this brings one question to my
mind… can we really call this a brave attempt?

One could get a clear picture that the Indian security services were trying their best to manage the
crowds and figure out ways to get into the Taj. But the throngs of news reporters and cameras were
something the security services did not ask for. On one hand, brave soldiers and people from the
police force had to tackle important issues of terrorism and assist in the rescue operations. On the
other hand, they had to tactfully handle the flashbulbs and microphones. Is the media justified in
causing stress to the police force and security services and adding to the chaos of the situation?
What if a journalist was hurt in a situation like this? Who is to blame? Is this media sensationalism at
its best… or should I say, at its worst?

The events were unfolded in detail not only on television but also on many websites. Reports reveal
that the Indian Government even had to request the citizens of Mumbai in particular, to avoid giving
such live coverage. Questions have been raised about the amount of information to be revealed on
television. This is simply because, such channels are accessible to all, including the people who have
planned this ghastly terror attack.

Media can be a powerful tool to help people in a time like this. Media plays an important role when
it comes to asking for help for the needy, flashing news about the status of the rescued people and
such issues that can help improve the situation or help people in need. However, giving a minute-by-
minute coverage about important activities by the security services is surely not a wise move and
can never be justified.
What can be done to remove this Misnomer ?
Media shows the things people want to see. (The kids always want to play games and avoid school-
but it's the responsibility of the parents to send them to school –get them educated.) Hence media
should never forget their moral duty of educating the people rather than entertaining (and scaring)
them.

 In my opinion fault lies on journalists, because they are the epicentre of information that give to TV
channels, and if they are biased towards the management of the TV channel or some political like
minded groups, they give the information which is useless or which is of some pro government and
not considering " the government reforms that are required at rural areas. And if it is of election
season, then exit polls, and strategies starts (which are of no use either to people or political people)