World Press Freedom Day: Is press really free?

Home > India > Article

May 3 is celebrated as World Press Freedom Day. An major tool in the movement of independence, media today has forgotten its ethics and has become profit-centric. The press should understand the responsibility it has towards the masses.

CJ: Alok Raman

Sun, May 04, 2008 15:32:11 IST

Views:
1931
Comments:
0

Rate:

2.91 / 11 votes

Indian Media :

THE WORLD Press Freedom Day symbolises the key importance of freedom of media and information. A free press has a responsibility to provide voice to citizens and create an environment where all major issues of consequence that may create an impact on the masses can be discussed. Free media may have a major role in social-economical development. Press is also responsible for shaping cultural identities.

The history of press in India is filled with stories of struggle and sacrifice. Indian press, in the pre-independence era, had a mission to achieve freedom. Most of the major leaders of the freedom movement were journalists. They were for the mouthpieces of the masses and society.

But after 60 years of freedom, can it be said that media is really free to rise the voice of grass root people? According to the Constitution, we can say yes! We have the right to expression and media can use it for the people of India. But, practically media is not free to do so.

Society driven attitude has become market driven attitude and media – an influential tool. Earlier freedom of press was commanded by social leaders and activists but now-a-days press is being commanded by big business houses. In those times, content of newspaper was influenced by social problems and presently it is influenced by market.

Journalism, which was a mission, has become profession and journalist, who should write for society is writing for better circulations and money. Media houses are more concerned about their profit than social development.

I don’t say that media houses should not be concerned about profits and business development. Without profit no industry can rise. But media has a big responsibility towards the society, nation and the world. It is the fourth pillar of democracy and in democracy our approach should be – to the people, by the people and for the people.

If media houses think only about profit, then we can’t think about freedom of press. Besides profit, media has to keep in mind its social responsibility as well and they should act accordingly.

E-mail |

Print | Post comment