ABSTRACT
In this dynamic age we are living in a society where media is the source of connection of individual with world at large. This is the period of globalization. liberalization and privatization and in this changing time we need to be attached with happenings and non-happenings. Recent period has expanded the need of media but not a biased, unneutral, exaggerated media with covering the uncovered news, with hiding the harsh truth, not media with the motive of establishing an unestablished business, not a media showing favouritism to the ruling government, not a media with arbitrariness, not a media who is mouthpiece of high profile politicians, capitalists, or any kind of so called stars of our country. We need a media which is fount of truth, unbiasedness. But now we can clearly see the scenario to a certain degree is catastrophic. We can say now we are getting aware of every stories except the fact through our 4th pillar of democracy i.e., media. The article gives an overview of the present working system of media. In this article I have tried to cover pertinent issues we the people are facing due to abasement of fundamental rights, right to freedom of speech and expression article (19)(1)(a), right to live with dignity article 21 cherished in our Indian constitution. In this article I have manifested how legislature is overriding the independence of the 4th pillar of our democracy. The article brings forth all the points which are quite questionable to virtuous and straightforward to the virtue of media.
INTRODUCTION
Media has been the watchdog of democracy over a period of time in across the world. Since old time media has been appreciated for its indispensable role in fighting for our rights, relating and showing us the truth, awaking the kindle of rightness in heart of people, providing courage to individual to come out from the conservative or restricted walls and fight for their justice. But the contemporary period is showing the face of media which is being discolored because of losing honorableness. At present time media has become money oriented, worldly and has forgotten the veracious duty for which it is upholding and known as the 4th pillar of democracy. India is the biggest market of the 4th pillar of democracy having 82,237 registered newspapers being published in different parts of our country, and around 700 news channels telecasted through television.[1]It is the perfect example how we are dependent on media for every information across the globe. we are completely relied upon the authenticity of news on media only. In this topsy-turvy life our schedule has become so hotchpotch that we have not enough time to go deeply and find out the fact or true interpretation of every news. Also we cannot ignore the literacy rate of our country. Most of us just assume by watching television that every piece of news we are shown is completely true with right interpretation. But layout in corporeality the situation is reversed. In actuality most of the times we are shown the distorted facts with wrong interpretation.
It seems that a cartel system is being followed by most of the news channels, like if some channels are showing and deliberating in favour of government then others are totally showing news that is against government just to gain TRP and stay established holding some rank in market competition. Whereas it’s totally not the duty or any of the true characteristic of neutral journalism. While some journalists or news channels are performing their duty with honesty and integrity but biggest number is totally not. Out-turn of that is in lieu of educating or awaking the common people media has become an instigator to spread violence. Fairness has become invisible in regard to media. Situation is almost same rather it’s print media i.e., newspaper, magazine or broadcast media i.e., television, radio or be it most popular now a days that is social media ex- twitter, Instagram, etc. We are being shown negativity everywhere.
ISSUES
1.Whether media is being a threat to our democracy?
- Whether the present media has adhered to politics only?
3.Whether the media is getting use to of citing one-way communication?
ISSUES AND ARGUMENTS:
1.WHETHER MEDIA IS BEING A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY?
We can say undoubtedly media is the voice of democracy, which is inalienable from democracy. But we can’t deny the fact that media can make or break the pleasure of democracy as if of its own choice. Media is a platform to enjoy our one of the most important fundamental right i.e., freedom of speech and expression which is enshrined in article 19(1)(a) of Indian constitution. But now adays storyline of media is embezzling the beautification of its incomparable beautiful rights. In the words of Abraham Lincoln- Democ–racy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
So, citizens of our country have the rights to enjoy their democracy, to know their rights and to fight for their rights when they r being infringed. As there is also a legal maximUbi jus ibi remediummeans where there is right there is remedy. But for fighting for their rights they need the factual information, some kind of public or private support, they need to know about the true analysis of report or news or decision taken for public. For all these they need a medium and that medium is media only. But at present journalists are completely distorting the facts, they are focusing on sensationalism and always try to provoke the public by getting their attention just for competing with the TRP winning race and for the continuation of their channels 24X7 they are hiding the factual information and recreating the fictional content.
Media is one of the most responsible entity of any democratic country. We the human beings can’t be omnipresent so that we can’t watch every occurrence by ourselves only. Media is the one who makes us understand what’s the matter is. We can’t blame all the journalists or media person of being biased but actual scenario is definitely pointing towards a significant section of journalists who are just obstructing into the personal space of most of the celebrities like with whom they are engaged with currently, they are busy in asking with them what was the reason behind their break ups and portraying the irrelevant news on national television. Suppose someone is going through mental health problem, suppose someone is not comfortable enough to disclose their relationship identity or any disclosure having privacy concern and in spite of that if the journalists keep on questioning related to that it is completely violation of Right to privacy which is protected under Article 21 of Indian constitution .we are watching the journalists are asking questions from the woman who became widow just some hours ago about the crime of her husband who was a culprit , they are asking questions and insisting him to give his instant reaction from a son who is just a student is fright of losinghis father , who is wondering for his family members ,who has to complete the last rites of his father , who lost his father just hours ago no matter his father was shot in an encounter and all the legal reports are yet to come. And in this situation if that widow gets aggressive and gives any inappropriatestatementsthey start provoking her and portraying the bad image of that widow in the eyes of we people through news channels or social mediawebsites. Isn’t it the mirror of yellow journalism? Can’t we call it blackmailing or image destructive media? How can the 4th pillar of our country be so cruel and sneaky? Is this kind of media productive for the democracy of our country.Ifthe pillars of our country are made up of these kind of degraded ingredients then we can never imagine for a rejuvenated , healthy democratic country.
- WHETHER THE PRESENT MEDIA HAS ADHERED TO POLITICS ONLY:
Freedom of speech and expression enshrined in article 19 (1)(a) is celestial for us. In Romesh Thapper v. state of Madras[2] justice Patanjali Sastri said it rightly –‘Freedom of speech and press lay at the foundation of all democratic organizations, for without free political discussion no public education, so essential for the proper functioning of the process of popular government is possible’[3]
Now a days when we open news channels we mostly have to watch a single news in badly expanded form for several times. And most disgusting thing of that is most of the news are mostly related with politics or politicians. They even show the dressing and house decorations of political leaders which are totally irrelevant. There are many more important news to show the country. Most of the debates are only for influencing public and for promoting the ruling political party’s or the opposition party’s political agenda. They are not something with the view to spread positivity or something productive enough to acquire knowledge. They are providing us news in bulk quantity with lack of quality. Most of the times they have become manipulative by showing the flawless system of government concealing the flaws of system.
3.WHETHER THE MEDIA IS GETTING USE TO OF CITING ONE -WAY COMMUNICATION:
Existing time is the time to come out and fight against the wrong. Whosoever is found guilty will get punishment according to the rule of law or with due legal process rather it’s government or a common citizen.Conviction can only be declared by the court of law with keeping constitutionality as supreme law of land and after following the Audi alteram partem. But at this time situation has created like we common people are mostly shown the communication of only one side whichsoever is heavier. It mainly happens in the case of anything against government. We all have right of speech and expression containing some reasonable restrictions so we can raise our voice against the wrongdoer rather the wrongdoer is government itself. Today’s media are acting like a paid media who only highlight the mistakes of common people and try to give judgement by themselves only while giving judgement is the duty of judiciary.
CONCLUSION
Media is doubtlessly the voice of democracy, the hope of happiness, the 1st step towards building a peaceful, healthy and corruption less nation. Media is avowedly the 4th pillar of democracy. But undeniably if the pillar is rusted or corroded we can never stand deep a strong building. Media must understand the problem of common people as well and perform their duty with integrity and uprightness. There must be transparency and unbiasedness in showing news. Media should always show reality to the public with two -way communication. We must keep in our mind that all are equal in the eyes of law, No one is above the law.
[1]Prakhar, “Is the media as the 4th pillar of democracy losing its credibility”
https://www.legalserviceindia.com retrieved on: 19-7-2020.
[2]AIR 1950 SC 124
[3]Dr.J.N.Pandey,constitutional law of india P.198(Central Law Agency 55th Ed. 2018).
