What is the role of media In Democracy? - media and Democracy, Media In Democracy.

A democratic set-up is based on active involvement of the people. Hence, the citizens of a country have every right to know about the policies and plans of their government and express their opinion on such policies. In fact, public opinion plays a vital role in the effective operation of democratic system. Public opinion plays a crucial role in the formulation and the execution of various programmes, formation and collapse of governments and even influences international relations. Thus, public opinion is views of the people on issues of public interest.

Media plays an important role in forming and expressing public opinion. It includes everything from newspaper, radio, television, telephone as well as internet. They are also known as mass media, as they are channels of contact intended to get in touch with a large number of people. The various means of communication have a strong hold over the minds of the people; therefore, they influence public opinion. However, they should be free to express their views or else they will give an unclear image of real events and lose much of their relevance. Thus, media provides a forums where ideas and opinions are expressed on various issues.

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY -

The technology involved in media changes rapidly. This fast changing technical Knowledge however, has many benefits. It helps in reaching out to larger number of people; better sound clarity and picture ourselves; lastly one can get instant updates on news and events happening around the world. There are diverse kinds of media based on the type of technology used by each of them.

Print Media -

Newspaper, journals, tabloids and books are examples of print media. They have played an important role in shaping public opinion since a long time. During the freedom struggle, the print media helped in spreading patriotic feelings to all 

The nooks and corners of the country. Most of the eminent nationalist leaders either started their own newspapers and publications or wrote in popular dailies about the injustice being done by the British administration. In a democracy, it provides information on incidents happening around the world as well as insight into various socio-economic , political and cultural issues that affects the life of the common people. The government too can sense the pulse of the public and accordingly take important decisions. For example, recently when the government raised the prices of petrol, there was a huge furore. Various articles in print media raised the issue of how it would affect the daily life of the people. People too expressed their discontent through the media. As a result, government was compelled to roll back the prices.

Audio-visual Media -

Television, radio, internet and cinema are examples of electronic or audio-visual Media. This Media is a much more powerful means of creating and expressing views as it reaches a much larger audience, even the illiterate sections of the society. There have brought to light the corrupt practices of rich and famous, or got justice for ordinary citizens who are victims of injustice done by influential people. Sometimes, due to extensive media coverage of issues, the

Government is compelled to revoke an order or order fresh probe. At times, even verdicts are passed in favour of the aggrieved party. The electronic media also helps in generating public awareness on issues such as casteism, poverty, dowry and foeticide, through movies.

Linkage between Media and Industry

MEDIA AND BUSINESS -

The broadcasting system, such as cameras,

Recorders, lights and satellites used by mass media, is very expensive. Besides, they have to pay salary to a large number of employees who help put up the show on air. Moreover, as discussed earlier, the technology that mass media uses, changes rapidly within a short span of time. Therefore, upgrading the existing equipment requires a lot of investment and this is how mass media becomes part of big business houses.

Since mass media is controlled by industry, it's primary motive is to earn profit. It earns money through advertising things like phones, clothes, soaps and hair care products. You must have observed that large number of advertisements are shown in between your favourite show or cricket matches. This happens because manufacturers of the above-mentioned products sponsor these programmes. Advertisements frequently appear in-between shows to lure the buyers to purchase what is presented.

Because of the close relation between Media houses and Industry, they are times, unable to portray an unbiased story. Many a time, owners of media houses distort news , in the process, issues related to common people are sidelined.

MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY -

The main purpose of mass media is passing information and ideas to a huge section of the society. It connects the people and the government. Debates, discussion and interviews educate the masses about the policies and programmes of the government. In fact, these forums help in exchanging of viewpoints and sensitising the policy makers about the needs of the public. The media makes certain that the regime is liable to the people and this it does by exposing their follies and putting pressure on them to respond responsibly. Media brings together different sections of the society to fight for a common cause. In Democracy, this helps in protecting the interest of the people by passing on reliable information of the government and its functioning. 

The media is responsible for providing impartial outlook on the actions of the government and this helps in shaping opinion. In case, the citizens are unhappy with a certain course of action taken up by the government, they can object by giving written representation to the concerned minister or organise a rally or a signature campaign.

Given the role they play in dissemination of information and the power they excercise in shaping public opinion, it is important that the media should give a balanced view on all issues. An objective àccount is one that gives all sides of a story, is not judgemental and let's the readers/Viewers/listeners decide. While broadcasting or publishing News the media should verify its truthfulness and should ensure that it does not produce I'll feeling in society or spoil anybody's reputation. The media should value every person's privacy and should not make public any information without his/her approval. For example, secretly tapping phone conversation and then making it public to create sensation is illegal. Protecting the interests of the country should be the uppermost priority of media.

The media should not make public any news item, that compromises on the safety or communal harmony of the country. Any inaccurate news published or put on air should be quickly corrected and citizens who hold a different view should be given an opportunity to shed light on the issue. The media should not publish anything that causes offence to any person or the feelings of any communities.

Nevertheless, the media can put forward balanced information only if they are independent and are not controlled by the rich and the powerful. Bearing in mind it's grasp over the people, there has been constant struggle to control the media. In a democracy, it is vital to have an independent media so that they can give unbiased and trustworthy àccounts of incidents.

First, the government exercises Control over the media through various laws. For example, all electronic media has to operate in accordance with the Broadcasting Code adopted in 1962. The government can prevent the media from broadcasting a news item or scene from a movie or compel to change the lyrics of a song, if it feels that it will hurt the sentiments of the public or it might threaten the peace and security of the country. This is known as censorship. For example, during the Emergency of 1975-77, the government imposed restrictions on freedom of speech and expression.

Second, due to media houses need for money to sustain themselves, they are dependent on advertisements given by big business houses. Therefore, they are unable to report against people who finance the functioning of media firms. At times, they tend to glorify the image of these firms in their own

Self-firms in their own self-interest.

Third, media tends to focus only on that facet of the story, that they feel will keep the readers or viewers absorbed and thus would help in increasing their market share. They have a tendency to sensationalise the news to grab the attention of the public and in the process highlight few parts of the story.

SETTING AGENDAS -

The media also decides what news to focus on and therefore, it is said that 'media sets the agenda' that will benefit the company by increasing circulation or viewership. By focusing on a particular topic, the media manipulates our opinion, approach and actions and draws our interest to those problems.

There are quite a few examples When the media failed to focus on issues that affect the life of the public. For instance, we are a country blessed with innumerable rivers, yet thousands of people drink highly polluted water that causes many ailments and even death. On the other hand, if an important personality is admitted to the hospital for even a minor ailment or checkup it becomes the headlines of all leading dailies.

The media seldom highlights the suffering of the ordinary people. As a result, many local communities have come forward, started their own media focussing on their hardships and provide information that is useful to them like subsidies being given by the government, prices of crop, offered by the government, etc. Khabar Lahriya is an eight page fortnightly local newspaper in Bundeli language. This is run by eight Dalit women, in Chitrakoot district, in Uttar Pradesh and reports on cases of violence against Dailts, corruption and other issues related to them.

Thus, in a democratic country the media has a very important part to play. It is through the media that we get to know about the functioning of the government and about the plans and policies being implemented by the government that affects the lives of the ordinary citizens. The government at times too imposes censorship on publication or transmitting of such programmes that might àffect the security of the country or our international relation or cause communal discord. The purpose is not to hurt anybody's sensibilities. With the growing linkages between Media and business firms, Media is becoming the centre of economic and political power and so often fail to give a balanced report. Since, the news at times may tend to offer a biased picture, therefore, the viewers and readers need to analyse the information carefully and ask questions like what information is the report giving and what might be missing, whose opinion it is, who is left out, etc.

FREEDOM OF PRESS -

In the Constitution, no separate provision

Has been made for the freedom of the press. 

But freedom of expression is guaranteed by Article 19(1a), which implies the freedom of the press. It is also subjected to the restrictions imposed by the Article 19 (2).

Freedom of press can be restricted in any of the following situations :

 (I).  Security of the state is threatened.

 (ii). Friendly relations with foreign states 

         Are affected.

 (iii). Public order is disrupted.

 (iv). Decency and morality is compromised

 (v).  Contempt of court.

 (vi). defamation.

 (vii). incitement to an offence.

 (viii). Sovereignty and integrity of India.

RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT (RTI) -

The Right to Information Act that came into force in October 2005 made the government bodies transparent and liable. It gave the citizens the legal right to seek information on the working of government institutions. 

The authorities are supposed to provide the required information within thirty days of filing the request. If it concerns the life and liberty of a citizen, then it has to be given within forty-eight hours. The government is not bound to reveal information that affects the security, integrity, scientific and economic interest of the country. However, this law is not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.