[Answered] “Freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forgo.” Discuss the significance of above statement. Do you think Indian Media is free?

The Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters Without Borders in August 2019, ranked India 140 out of 180 countries. The report highlighted how criminal prosecution, especially sedition, is rampantly used to abuse journalists. It also noted that “at least six Indian journalists were killed in connection with their work in 2018”. The recent death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh is a chilling reminder of the cost of standing up for truth in India. All these incidents reflect that press in endangered and not completely free. This is a dangerous situation in a democracy as press and media is the fourth pillar and voice for citizens in a democracy.

Significance of freedom of press for any country:

1. Strengthening a nation: Free media works towards strengthening the sovereignty and integrity of a nation.
2. Fundamental to a democratic society:The freedom of press is fundamental to a democratic society like India for it is helpful in strengthening democracy.
3. Check on Government and Administrators: An independent press and news-media press acts as an important check on Government and Administrators.
4. Voice against any social ill or wrong: It is also responsible to raise voice against any social ill or wrong.
5. Acts for the public: At national, regional and local level, it is the public’s voice, activist and guardian as well as educator, entertainer and contemporary chronicler.
6. Source of information: An unbiased information is important for a democracy and its growth. Media help in providing critical information to citizens. E.g data on economy, health, education etc. must be correct and accurate without any bias toward government.
7. Educate: Media is important to educate people on issues that are of utmost important for the society. E.g Increasing number of rape cases are threat to society. It is important to report exact number of cases and help in sensitising the society.
8. Awareness: Media make society aware of their democratic rights and fight the three institutions of democracy.
9. Watchdog: Media reporting on public affairs and investigations into wrongdoing in the administration of public affairs is must for a healthy democracy. This includes exposing frauds or corruption cases that personally benefit politicians. This help citizens to vote the best government defeating corrupt and dishonest government.
10. Good Governance: Media plays an important role in audit of the government policies and spending. An unbiased media is important for transparent reporting.

Growing threat to freedom of press in India:

1. India slipped two points on the World Press Freedom Index ranking and India’s ranking reflects growing bitterness towards journalists.
2. The antagonism towards the media which is openly encouraged by political leaders poses a great threat to democracy.
3. Government’s pressure in the name of Regulation, bombardment of fake news and over influence of Social media is dangerous for the occupation. Security of journalists is the biggest issue. Killings and Assaults on the Journalists covering sensitive issues are very common.
4. Section 124a of IPC under which sedition is punishable by life imprisonment also endanger freedom of journalists.
5. Hate speech targeting journalists shared and amplified on social networks are targeted against journalists using social media.
6. Corruption-paid news, advertorials and fake news are threat to free and unbiased media.
7. Corporate and political power has overwhelmed large sections of the media, both print and visual, which lead to vested interests and destroy freedom.

It is irony in the biggest democracy of world that press and media enjoy less freedom. Media should have enough freedom and must be neutral in airing views. If media is honest and free democracy is bound to function more efficiently. If media is biased, corrupt and favours only a particular party or few individuals, it can prove to be very dangerous for the smooth functioning of democracy. In the interest of democracy it is essential that the exchange of ideas take place in an uninhibited manner where all citizens can access information free of bias and prejudice.