Is Media really the fourth estate of Indian democracy?

By Kasak Shirotriya

https://tgjthegroundjournal.home.blog/2019/02/16/are-bollywood-songs-only-meant-for-remakes/

Media’s vital role is to act as a watchdog of the society. It makes us aware of the various social, political and economic activities which take place around us.

Many of us have heard about the fact that Media is considered to be the fourth pillar of the democracy rather than Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. But have you ever thought that why Media has given such authority that it is called the fourth estate of the democracy? Here is the answer, Media’s vital role is to act as a watchdog of the society. It makes us aware of the various social, political and economic activities which take place around us. Also, it keeps an eye on the other three pillars of democracy.

But don’t you think that Media as a 4th estate of the democracy has lost its credibility? Media’s main job is to show the uncovered truth and harsh realities of life. But besides that Media has now forgotten the ethics of journalism. But what can be the reasons behind this?

The growth of TRP ( Television Rating Point ) and Paid news. Yes, these are the two main reasons why media is losing its credibility day-by-day. It is all about the game of TRP. It seems that media organisations are very much inspired by the competition world in terms of TRP. It looks like a battle between the media houses or news channels that who will come first or who will win the game.

According to 2018 World Press Freedom Report, out of 180 countries, India was ranked 138 just above a position of Pakistan.

One of the recent trends shown in the media industry is the Debate shows. Any social issue or current issue is taken by the news channel and then a debate is organized in between the panellists. The more the aggressive debate, the more TRP will collect a show. Their main aim is to attract the viewers anyhow.

If a dog bites a man, it’s ok, but if a man bites a dog, then it is news.

Similarly “ if it bleeds, it leads”. It seems that media personnel have taken this saying too seriously. Anything can be news, if a dog is crossing a road, it can also become news. Don’t be shocked, it’s true.

Any incident is presented in front of you in such a manner that you will be
Here are some of the cases, which proves that Media only works for “Paid News”:-
• The first case is of an MLA from U.P, Umlesh Yadav. She was disqualified by Election Commission for paying two local Hindi newspapers for filling incorrect statement of election expenditure before polling.

• The second case is of a recorded chat between Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Journalist Punya Prasoon Vajpayee. In the clip, Mr Kejriwal is asking to play a part of their interview which will influence his voters`and Mr Punya Prasoon Vajpayee also agrees and this interview was aired.

• If we talk about most of the highlighted cases of Paid news in India, Andhra Pradesh always comes on top. According to the data, the size of the market size of paid news in Andhra Pradesh is between Rs 300- Rs 1000 crore. Strange right?

It is very painful to see that now media has lost its standard of ethical values. Earlier, the journalists used to take as their social responsibility to make people aware of what is happening around the society. Directly or indirectly it acts as a mirror to the society. It always shows what our society reflects. But in today’s scenario, it is very hard to believe that almost every media organisation receives financial support or help from the political parties. But you will be thinking what’s wrong is with this? It’s good if they are getting any kind of support from the political parties right ?. But let’s talk about the other side of the story. If any media organisation is receiving any kind of aid from the political party, so do you think that media channel will air any type of news against that political party.

All these things proved that the journalists are themselves are not following the ethics of journalism. Media has also proved that “it is all about power”. The greedy media is killing the people and democracy.