Media has always been the protagonist in a democracy. Media once was the epitome of credibility and truthfulness. There was a time when whatever media said was believed to be the truth, when media feared none.
But today, it’s more about sensationalism rather than credibility of the news; it’s more about the voice of the governance rather than voice of the people; it’s more about propaganda, profits and TRP rather than truthfulness and magnificent topics. Media houses take advantage of India’s love for sentiments and emotions to spread propaganda.
There was a time when media houses were a mere medium of information and facts. Inference and judgment lied with the viewers. They just gave its viewers the way to form their opinions. But today, media gives it all except facts (They do provide information, but can’t say of credibility). Anchors of debates, today, act more like judges than mediators. Today’s journalists and anchors usually go beyond the scope of just ‘reporting’ the news by giving their personal verdict of the matter, giving viewers very little space to think on their own.
The inclination of media houses towards certain political parties or ideologies and business houses have given rise to ‘biased-journalism’. Media houses have been used as puppets of political parties and corporate houses to increase their vote banks and market value respectively.
But social media in journalism has re-defined journalism. As the influence of social media started increasing, it became the source for latest news and updates. Social media started serving as a platform to read about different perspectives. The prevalence of blogging, gave rise to ‘citizen journalism’, making it possible for even a common citizen to report, criticize and comment on any topic. This made media more accountable for what they broadcast. Any hypocrisy, bias or prejudice by media houses in their reporting immediately gets mocked and shamed by netizens.
Media plays an important role in addressing contemporary social issues. Media, for the sake of money, should not forget that they act as a medium between government and people. They are the voice of people. The power of media, if understood, is limitless. That media – which even in the times of emergency when the country was in a constitutional crisis and press rights were lucidly suspended, they published empty papers instead of adhering to the news given by Chief Media Advisor (a post created at that time to censor news), as a remark of protest – has now become a puppet of the governance or opposition. None of them wish to take a neutral stance.
Well, times are gone of independent and brave journalism. The contemporary media would prefer TRP more over journalism. At last I would just quote,
- Devanshu Agrawal
Vidhigyan 2021
(Vidhigya Aspire Batch Student)
