Role of Media in Indian Politics
Keywords:- media, politics, information, government, fraud, accountability, elections, democracy, internet, media in Indian Politics
Author: Kariha Javaid
In a country like India with such a diverse population with numerous political affiliations, the media has a very crucial role to play. It is said to be the fourth pillar of democracy and has a big influence on how the government runs and particularly how elections are conducted. Newspapers, television, radio, and internet platforms are just a few of the numerous types of media available in India. In addition, the media serves as a watchdog, alerting the population about governmental activities and holding them responsible. In this article, we will discuss the role of the media in Indian politics.
Dissemination of Information
Informing the public about the government’s policies and activities is one of the media’s main functions in Indian politics. The media’s reporting gives citizens crucial knowledge about the decisions and policies of the government, empowering them to make educated judgments. The media is essential in enlightening the populace about political problems and their ramifications and fostering civic engagement. Media is a critical factor in determining the result of elections. The media informs the public about the various political parties and their candidates, empowering them to make educated decisions. During elections, the media also serves as a watchdog, ensuring that the voting process is impartial and free of fraud. The media assists in forecasting election results through exit polls and other types of coverage, which influences the political narrative.
Ensuring accountability
Another important function of the media in Indian politics is that of a watchdog. The media serves as a check on government actions, holding officials responsible and exposing corruption and mismanagement. To mention a few, the media has played an important part in uncovering various frauds and scandals, including the 2G spectrum scam, the Commonwealth Games scam, and the coal scam. The media, via investigative journalism, exposes the corrupt behaviors of people in power and contributes to the creation of a more transparent and responsible government. The 2G spectrum scam was one of the biggest corruption scandals in India’s history.
It involved the alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum licenses by the government in 2008, which resulted in huge losses to the exchequer. Investigative journalism by various media outlets including The Times of India and NDTV exposed the irregularities in the allocation process and highlighted the involvement of powerful individuals and companies. This led to widespread public outrage and eventually resulted in the cancellation of the licenses and the prosecution of several individuals involved in the scam. Similarly, The media critically exposed the Commonwealth Games scandal in Delhi in 2010. They exposed instances of corruption, mismanagement, and poor infrastructure through investigative journalism and reporting, resulting in widespread public outrage and pressure on the authorities to act. The media’s efforts eventually resulted in a government investigation and a clean-up of the Games’ organization, highlighting the importance of a free and independent press in holding those in power accountable.
Shaping Public Opinion
The media also has a significant impact on public opinion. Media can shape the public’s opinion of a certain subject or leader. The media can alter public conversation and agendas through its reporting and editorial coverage. This power may be both beneficial and harmful, and the media must remain neutral and objective in its reporting. Coverage of the farmers’ protest in 2020–21 by the media is an illustration of how the media shapes public opinion. The farmers’ protest against the new farm laws received extensive media coverage. Some media outlets were accused of being biased in favor of the government and portraying the farmers as anti-national elements. On the other hand, some media houses sympathized with the farmers and criticized the government’s handling of the protests. Thus the media coverage contributed to the polarisation of public opinion on the issue.
Rise of Social Media
The advent of social media in recent years has intensified the influence of media in Indian politics. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have become vital tools for politicians to reach out to and communicate with the public. Citizens now have a voice thanks to social media, which allows them to share their ideas and concerns. Nonetheless, the use of social media in Indian politics has been a source of contention, with concerns raised about fake news and disinformation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Indian media outlets were accused of spreading misinformation about the virus, including conspiracy theories and false cures that became very popular through social media. This contributed to a climate of fear and confusion, leading to panic buying of unproven treatments and unnecessary travel.
The Problem of Yellow Journalism
The role of the media in Indian politics has not been without difficulties. The media has been accused of prejudice, sensationalism, and a lack of impartiality on several occasions. Political parties have accused the media of being influenced by corporate interests and acting against them. The role of the media in molding public opinion has also been challenged, with some claiming that media coverage is frequently sensationalized and lacks substance. One of the best examples to understand this is to look at the coverage of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case. The media coverage of the brutal gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi was criticized for being sensationalized and exploitative. Some channels aired graphic details and images of the victim, which violated her privacy and dignity. The media coverage also contributed to mob violence and vigilantism.
In conclusion, the media is very important in Indian politics. It serves as a watchdog, alerting citizens about government activities and holding them accountable. The media also influences public opinion and plays an important role in elections. The emergence of social media has intensified the media’s role in Indian politics, making it more essential than ever. Yet, the media’s involvement in Indian politics is fraught with difficulties, and the media must retain its neutrality and objectivity when reporting.
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