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Context - On the 50th anniversary of the Press Club of Bangalore, the Vice President highlighted the importance of freedom of the Press.

Details

• The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu highlighted that a strong democracy cannot survive without a free, unbiased and fearless press.
• He stated that India needs a strong, independent and rational media to strengthen the roots of democracy.
• He also raised concerns about the erosion of values in the media.
• He stressed promoting unbiased and objective reporting, and also mentioned that the ‘News should not be mixed with views’.

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.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1819564

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