PRESS FREEDOM

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Context - India ranked 150th in the World Press Freedom Index 2022.

Details

India ranked 150th in the World Press Freedom Index 2022, last year it was 142 out of 180 countries.
- Except for Nepal (76th rank) and Srilanka (146th rank) all the neighbouring countries performed poorly than India.
The report was released by Reporters without Borders.
Norway (1st) and Denmark (2nd), while North Korea remained at the bottom of the list of the 180 countries.
The Report stressed that the Indian authorities should respect the right to freedom of expression and release journalists’ detained due to politically motivated charges for their critical reporting and stops targeting them and promotes independent media.

Significance of Media

Media refers to all means of Communication, everything ranging from a Phone Call to the news on TV.
- TV, radio and newspapers are a form of media. Since they reach millions of people across the world they are Called Mass Media.
A balanced report is essential in media which has to report independently.
Media plays a very important role in providing news and discussing events taking place in the Country and the world.
- News Stories in the media inform people about important events in the Country.
Media by focusing on particular issues influences and Shapes our thoughts. It is said the media sets the agenda for People.
- Opinions, attitudes, and Conduct of persons are dependent upon the information available to them.
- Most of our knowledge of Contemporary events comes to us from newspapers, Radio, Television and movies.
- Our emotions and attitudes are also formed or influenced to a large extent by the media.
The media tell us about the working of the Government and create awareness about the welfare programmes.

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Concern

The media is far from being independent. This is because of the Control of Government over the media Called Censoring and because big business houses Control the media.
Corporate Funding - A lot of money is spent on maintaining People and getting the latest technology. To meet this Cost, it needs money.
- Media, therefore, uses advertising as a tool to raise revenue.
Manipulating News for TRPs is not only a financial scam but also morally and ethically wrong.
Some Channels are spreading a hate narrative which is a violation of the fundamental right of the citizen to know the truth through the media.
The media has become a source of disinformation, and this is also an ethical issue.
- Both legal and ethical dimensions are equally serious

Way Forward

The democratic way of life depends upon the existence of free agencies of mass media.
The Media must act in a Responsible and Independence manner; they need to promote Sincerity, Truthfulness, Accuracy, and Impartiality in their work.
News reporting must be factual and objective.
Programs relating to Controversial public issues are needed to give fair representation to both sides of the issue.
Children’s programs are to be educative rather than merely entertaining.
Advertising of hard liquor, and fortune-telling, must be avoided.
Privacy is one of the fundamental freedoms of people and it is essential to liberty and human dignity.
A journalist must be held accountable for the consequences of the reporting.
Need to promote a Free and Responsible Press.
The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation.
Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail.
The media should not report glorification of war, over-sentimentality, unnecessary brutality or killing, passionate love scenes, undue sympathy for immoral or criminal behaviour, superficiality.
Government can facilitate the Reform Process. The government may pass a law that any violation will face legal action, criminal action, but the media needed a strong policy of Self-regulation and at the same time an independent regulation.