Constitutional value and the role of media
Tejashree Anant Salvi
Introduction
The media is one of the most powerful institutions in a country. The ability of the media to mobilize people from diverse backgrounds to work towards a common goal has been documented throughout history. Even during our struggle for freedom, newspapers such as Kesari, Young India, Amrit Bazar Patrika, Navjivan, and others contributed to the patriotic fervor of the country. The role of the media has undoubtedly changed with the advancement of technology. The days of straightforward news reporting are long gone. Today, the media serves as a forum for debate and analysis of a wide range of local and international issues. From James Hickey's Bengal Gazette in 1780 to electronic news sources like The Print, Quint, Scroll and others, India's media has grown. This generation has been exposed to a new form of media through digital campaigns and social media movements. However, as the fourth pillar of our democracy, this institution's responsibilities have grown. This article focuses on the constitutional and legal alignment of our country's most important institution.
Repulsive Characteristics of the Media
In recent years, the media has been a breeding ground for all manner of misbehavior. Paid information contributes significantly to increasing media awareness. According to the Press Council of India's 2010 investigative report, political parties, NGOs, corporations, film producers, and celebrities pay journalists and media outlets to maintain their public image. This is accomplished by suppressing negative news and providing positive or reforming coverage. According to the Securities and Exchange Board of India, this is done through "private treaties" between media companies and interested companies and individuals. Companies typically pass stock to the media in exchange for media coverage. On May 6, 2013, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by ShriRao Inderjit Singh, presented his report on “issue of Paid News" to the Lok Sabha. The main issues the singh cited were corporatization of journalism, lack of accountability to the Ministry of Broadcasting, and lack of transparency in reporting. This has shaken the confidence of citizens in one of the most powerful institutions in our democracy.
The Media's Constitutionality
Our preamble emphasizes freedom of thought, expression, and belief from the outset. Furthermore, Article 19(1) (a) guarantees us the right to free speech and expression. We have the right to collect, disseminate, and communicate information by electronic or audiovisual means. We also have Article 19(2) to balance out the preceding article's liberty. This article restricts freedom on the basis of state sovereignty and integrity, morality, decency, public order, etc.
The Supreme Court has consistently emphasized the importance of the media in educating the public. In Benv. tt Coleman & Co. v. Union of India, the court highlighted freedom of the press as having "the impact". People place their trust in institutions such as the media for accurate reporting. This faith has the power to sway public opinion in unimaginable proportions. The Constitution makes no apologies for recognizing the importance of this pillar to our democracy. This recognition has led to media censorship. India ranked 142 in the 2020 "World Press Freedom Index". "The media has such a massive influence that it cannot be left unchecked. It is an essential component of public order and, as such, must be democratically controlled. Censorship does not limit media freedom. Unlike many other superpowers, our Supreme Court ruled in S. Rangarajan & Ors. V. P. Jagjivan Ram & Ors. This open criticism of government policies is not a valid reason to limit expression. Intolerance is as harmful to democracy as it is to the individual. The media has been at the forefront of the fight against unconstitutional legislation, exposing scams or corrupt practices and connecting the voices of ordinary people. Its involvement in the 2G Spectrum scam, the Coalgate scam, the CWG scam, and the Satyam scam, for example, cannot be overlooked. Various media trends have emerged over the years, highlighting points of political tension contrary to the Constitution of India. Legal Overreach On many fronts, the media have today, since Doordarshan. Today, the media is more than just a source of news; it is also a source of analysis and criticism. According to the UP government's submission to the Supreme Court, the accused intended to incite communal strife. A sufficiently clear example would be the case of Mr. Vinod Dua, a wire reporter who claimed that Prime Minister Modi acts through terrorist acts. These are just a few examples of how the media has grossly abused their freedom and freedom of expression. Media outlets frequently go beyond what the law allows them to do. This was observed in light of a PIL filed against Republic TV's yellow journalism. The said news channel trials a series of investigations or parallel investigations throughout the investigation and case proceedings Under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, Clauses (1) (f) and I of Rule 6 of the Programme and Advertising Codes prohibit the programme from carrying any programme that disparages any individual or group in social, public, or moral life. Regardless of the court's decision, the media has the ability to create an impression of guilt. A single media release can undermine several rights that constitute fair trials. The "Right to a Fair Trial" Instead of touching people's wrists, the media should guide them according to principles. National and judicial emotions Indians are very emotional and the media must be very extreme. Be careful. Our former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, said that freedom was for them.
CONCLUSION
Freedom of the press is for us an article of faith, sanctified by four decades of freedom, validated by four decades of freedom, and made indomitable by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Our fundamental constitutions, such as justice, equality, and freedom, guarantee respect for the rights of every individual and every institution. Unfortunately, an institution as powerful as the media strays from the very purpose identified by the constitution. Institutions that abuse their power and disregard their responsibilities pose as democracy. A threat to our democracy Private self-regulatory bodies, such as the National Broadcasters Association (NBA) and the National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), are ineffective. It has proven ineffective.
Reference
https://www.njlrii.com/2021/03/constitutional-values-and-role-of-media.html?m=1