Journalism : Fourth Pillar of Democracy

"The sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole countryside and devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy."

                                             ~ Mahatma Gandhi

What is Journalism ?

Journalism is the 'fourth estate' or 'fourth pillar' of democracy and 'voice of voiceless', the news media and the institution of journalism plays a crucial role of keeping the citizens informed about the issues, events and ideas of public interest. 

The profession and discipline of journalism through its arts, crafts and science makes the news media a powerful instrument of public information, opinion and debates.

One cannot imagine a great Democracy without a vibrant, independent and crucial news media which not only disseminates news and views of public importance but also act as a watchdog that monitors, investigates and critically examines the functioning of key organs and institutions of the State, and evaluates the performances of those in the public office and hold them accountable.

World Press Freedom Index, 2020

Published by : Reporters Without Border or Reports Sans Frontieres

First Rank : Norway

Last Rank : North Korea

India : 142nd out of 180 Nations

China : 177th

Responsibilities of Journalism :

• Socially responsible

• Serve the people with devotion

• Educate people while avoiding sensationalism

• Distortion and manipulation of facts in the news reports and

• Not compromise with ethical standards of journalism for profit

Media Legacy :

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• Television

• Radio

And new media like Online News Portals and Digital News Platforms, has been integral to democracy's long and tumultuous journey. Over time, it has evolved with democracy, especially in the late 19th and 20th century.

What Journalism can do ?

It's influential role in 

• shaping public perception

• Setting the agenda for public debate

And its widespread impact on the 

Society,

Politics,

Economy,

Culture,

and Governance, news media and journalism enjoys a  powerful position in a democratic society.

Nepoleon Bonaparte had once famously said, 

"Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets."

None can forget famed Urdu poet Akbar Allahabadi's immortal lines,

"खींचो  न कमानो को न तलवार निकालो / जब तोप मुकाबिल हो तो अखबार निकालो." (Do not pull an arrow or a sword/ Publish a newspaper when confronting a cannon).

Ethics in Journalism :

Journalism has evolved with a set of ethical principles, standards and norms for fulfilling its social responsibility and serving the citizens better by ensuring the quality of content and highest professional standards in gathering, processing/ filtering and dissemination of news and views.

Journalistic ethics are 

A set of principles,

Standards, 

Guidelines, 

Objectivity,

Fairness,

Truth,

Accuracy,

Impartiality

and

Code of conduct prepared for professional journalists. 

It deals with conduct, character and behaviour of a journalist and how s/he works before, during and after the news gathering and dissemination process.

Challenges :

• Openly taking side

• Biased

• Sensational

• Intrusive

• Propagandists

• Manipulating and distorting the facts

• Passing off rumours as news

• Exaggerating Stories

• Polluting the democratic discourse

• Distorting the public opinion

• Paid News

• Exaggerating trivial stories

• Running misleading headlines

• Breach of privacy

• Lobbying for personal gains

• Blackmailing

• Engaging in malicious and defamatory reporting

• Impairing the citizens' right to know and thus negatively affecting their democratic choices and decisions.

Regulation of Media :

The Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory and quasi-judicial body, was established by an Act of Parliament. It functions as a "watchdog of the press, for the press and by the press". Its two broad Objectives are -

1. Safeguarding the freedom of press and

2. To improve its quality and standards.

It works on the premise of self regulation of print media but has no punitive powers.  

The News Broadcasting Standard Authority (NBSA) overseas the news channels (Non-governmental body). This was established by an industry body, News Broadcasters Association (NBA). It issued crisp "Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards" for its member news channels.

While demanding punitive power for the Press Council of India, in an article in  "The Hindu" , its former Chairman Justice Markandey Katju bluntly wrote, "There is no freedom which is absolute. All freedoms are subject to reasonable restrictions, and are also coupled with responsibilities. In a democracy everyone is accountable to the people, and so is the media... The Indian media must now introspect and develop a sense of responsibility and maturity." 

One hope that the Indian news media will remember the advice and warning of Mahatma Gandhi.

One also hope that the saner voices within the media fraternity will see the warning signs and act fast to restore the credibility of the news media and journalism as profession by ensuring adherence to ethical norms, try to win citizens' confidence and work to strengthen the "Social Contract" with the public.

References

Yojana

E-media

The Hindu