INDIAN MEDIA: YELLOW JOURNALISM VS AUTHENTIC JOURNALISM

 

 

Indian media is omnipresent - whether it is the radio, television, or the social media. The introduction of technology and modern tools has broadened the role and stature of media in the modern world. In fact, it is quite legit to say that rise of social media and equipment has resulted in the promotion of individual’s opinion and judgement in an extremely sensational manner in current picture.

Whereas, Democracy is a primary concept of governance in the world, and has now also moved ahead and moulded its governing features.

The term Media: Fourth Pillar of Democracy is coined by Thomas Caryle which envisages that the primary job of the Media is to cover the truth and show the factual scenario, like a mirror to the entire world.

Constitutional Status

The stone of Freedom of speech and press has been laid down by the Indian Judiciary in several case laws and lately, the apex court has been also widening the horizon of the said legal right. In Tata Press Ltd. v. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.[1] the Supreme Court held that a commercial advertisement or commercial speech is also a part of the freedom of speech and expression, which would be restricted only within the limitation of Article 19(2).

Also, in Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India[2], the Supreme Court stressed the importance of freedom of the press, “…The expression freedom of the press has not been used in Article 19 but it is comprehended within Article 19(1)(a). The expression means freedom from interference from authority, which would have the effect of interference with the content and circulation of newspapers. There cannot be any interference with that freedom in the name of public interest.”

 

Is Media Authentic Anymore?

The commercialization of media and the fear of establishment haveled the hosts of our nation to be a supporter of different political ideologies and the corporate voices.

India is one of the biggest markets in the world of media and telecom with over 100,000 publications of newspapers and 1000 television channels. But as they say ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ and with this statement comes the questions, is media actually acting sensibly or under the burden of ‘yellow journalism’ lost its humanity and emotions, or above all the power of reasonability.

In today’s world, the discussion of nationalist and anti-nationalist depends upon whether one is pro-government or anti-government. The widespread emergence of multiple media platforms including social media along with media houses and corporates are the real shapers of abhorrence and communalism in the country for over all the years in India. In a democracy, fading away of pillars is always detrimental to the society as well as the nation. Therefore, it is suggested that Media should only focus upon disseminating real news to the public instead of dwelling upon the work of judiciary and causing serious miscarriage of justice.

Long gone are the days when media was regarded to be the mirror of the society. Nowadays, truth is camouflaged and its nothing but a series of believable lies repeated in our ears continuously until that is the only truth we know. These media houses are nothing but a parallel investigating agency at par with CBI and other investigating agencies in our country. They hardly have any interest in unearthing the actual truth but creating a hysteria among the general viewers, making it extremely difficult for the people to formulate an unbiased opinion. They declare the accused the actual perpetrator before the judges actually do that.

 The Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has broken every existing record of media brutality. In the pursuit of truth, they snatch away our ability to reason and to form an independent opinion. The media houses have time and again mercilessly transgressed their immunity entering into the private spaces of individuals without any check and balance by the legislature.

The parallel investigation by agencies hamper the actual process of justice delivery. The Sushant Singh Rajput’sdeath case is just a drop in the ocean. There are many other infamous cases of media trial keeping the bar high. For instance, the Jessica Lal Murder Case of 2010 and Bilal Joshi rape case, 2005, created unprecedented sensation all over the internet, which effectively managed to create hysteria among viewers in high profile cases.

 The Sarvjeet case where the internet sensation Miss Jasleen Kaur, a student of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, stormed the social media overnight becoming the ambassador of woman strength, where all she did was that she falsely accused an innocent man of molesting her. His picture was circulated all over the internet and everyone was willing to break his bones without batting an eyelid. The parallel drug investigation being carried out in the Sushant Singh Rajput’scase has infringed the right to privacy of individuals by circulating their personal WhatsApp conversation in every news channel.

 

Media Democracy or Atrocity?

With great power comes greater responsibility. In India media houses have been given unlimited access to every person’s personal life unlike other countries where laws related to media content is very stringent. A person is given right to hold opinions, freedom to seek any information, share ideas without limitations and boundaries.However, they have forgotten that in pursuance of the bitter truth, they cause irreversible damage to reputation and sometimes take a toll on people’s mental health and also life. Media is ought to preserve the democratic structure of the country. The media houses have tremendous potential to be the fourth pillar of democracy. Since, they have been empowered with the virtue of bringing the truth lying underneath, before the general public, they are the game changers we are in dire need of.

It is high time that the union ministry comes up with a carrot and stick policy to strike a balance between media interference and basic human right of an individual.

Authors - 

Sakshi Mishra (Author)

Aishwarya Shubhangi (Co - Author)

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[1]Tata Press Ltd. V. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd 1995 AIR 2438

[2]Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India 1986 AIR 515