Real Picture of Media in Modern Democracy

Today, Media plays huge role in connecting the entire world. Transferring the happenings of the world with real time information is really something worth appreciation thanks to the technologies. But working with the technology is a bit different. I have the resources but the question is how do I use it? What is the best possible way to use it so that it will benefit the people? What if the information is manipulated to draw attention on some specific thing and take out a wrong meaning of it? Many things are happening which is not directly conveyed to the people. Media should share the content in right context of matter rather shaping the issues. As far as the print media and electronic media is concerned, it’s important to write and show the details of content from a neutral point of view. They should not bend the content in someone’s favour and making it one-sided. Because when we read it or watch it on television, the presentation and words of content lays an impact on the image and reputation to the concerned subject.

Let’s make the preview clearer; think about the latest happening in India’s democratic situation where people want to shine as much as possible for known benefits and Goals. They are using all the resources that’s available. Consider BJP’s Model of Development, Congress’s enthusiastic Yuva Josh  or AAP’s corruption free India and transparent system. All have their agenda and are trying to get to the people. But, the bottom line is, how to they influence the people with such agendas? Wheather to give the voters a clear-cut-report of their governance or to highlight the best works. Here comes the role of media where responsibility lies upon them. Should they hide the reality and shake hands for political aid and make good relations with the politicians and corporates or be brave enough to stand for the principles of their job. With the reign of social media in everyone’s hand, it’s easy to convey the thoughts, doesn’t matters if it’s true or false.

Media persons are equally important today. It’s their morale responsibility to bring the truth out and put it in front of people and let them judge. People should go by the facts and figures and decide upon the matter. Media should not judge the subject before-hand. Their personal thoughts and feelings for the subject should not influence the content of news they are reporting to the people. Media should consider themselves as a medium between the people and the happenings of the world. All the information should be provided as they are instead of shaping them to benefit a particular subject.

But table has completely turned over. They don’t consider the news reporting as responsibility but they are using it as power to manipulate the people’s thoughts. It’s not that everyone sitting out there are not honest. Most of people are very enthusiastic about their job and really respect their profession and do it faithfully. It’s a small bunch of people who are ready to go against all odds for money and power. Indian news channels are more of entertainment & marketing channels and less of a news channels. It’s not a criticism because ultimately, they are doing this to earn money for their livelihood. But in the hunger of earning money, they have started to sell the stories for power, existence and progress.

Sting operations, dark secrets, Hidden facts about the government,True figure about the progress of nation in various field, everything can be easily manipulated if one needs to. It’s distracting but true. Few people are taking the democratic system for granted. They think they can work their stuff out of nowhere. Media houses, instead of making a fair news reporting, shake their hands with such powerful people personal gain. They are ready to drop a topic for money and let the truth die.

 Kapil Sibal, on 5^th may, 2013 at a press conference clearly stated that media of country is corrupted. He even stated that media house are paid for running fake news. None of the news channel or Newspaper agency challenged him that time. And how can they? After all he was the HRD Minister of country that time and behind the scene, well-wisher of each other. Had they challenged him that time, they would had completely wipe the dust. Same thing Arvind Kejriwal said during his campaign, all they media houses got united like lost brothers of famous Khumb-ka-Mela and stood against him and started proving him wrong. Election commission of India has recently made a proposal to law ministry to make paid news an Electrol offence. But would the law minister consider this proposal of EC when their own people practises this stuffs?

The press council of India formed a 2-member committee to look into the matter of paid news. The committee of Seniour journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Srinivas Reddy, after a complete investigation, submitted the report back to the council with proofs along with the name of culprit who are practising such things. But things haven’t changed even today. This is just a preview, actual picture of the situation is even worse. Huge sum of money is flowing to the media houses for keeping the image good. If the situation persists as it is, soon, news will be up for sale in India.