In a democracy, journalists play a vital role in uncovering the truth and holding

those in power to account. Their job is to ensure that citizens receive timely,
accurate and reliable information, which has become even more important in the
context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some media houses continuously ran reports on the elections even when
the cry of the hour demands ground reporting of the health crisis.

At a time when India is grappling with a health emergency where the media
has a crucial role to play in ensuring the checks and balances are in place,
throwing the spotlight on the political economy of the media becomes
paramount.

India continues to break the record for daily Covid infections and deaths
and as the virus spreads from cities to villages, the challenge of reporting
the Covid crisis has also increased. At a time when information is an
important currency to deal with the Covid pandemic, biased media fuels
misinformation and disinformation. Public awareness and engagement is
essential to challenge the false narrative and demand accountability from
not just the state but also the media. One way is to support the reader-
funded media and the many local journalists who are on the ground
painstakingly reporting on the unfolding tragedies and holding truth to
power. In a country that is gasping for breath, media plurality is a much-
needed oxygen.

In the midst of a public health crisis, the public seeks information to help make sense of the world
around them. The news media in particular are considered a primary source for that information and
context. The needs that journalism satisfies in a crisis are at odds.