INTRODUCTON

WHAT IS MEDIA?

It is the communication channel through which we tend to flow into news, music, movies, education, promotional messages and other data. It includes physical and on-line newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios, billboards, telephone and also the web.

WHAT IS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY?

 A democratic society is the one which is governed of the people, for the people and by    the people and which provides equal chance to all the citizens to participate and play a major role in the process of democracy.

So, a democratic media is the concept that the media ought to be organised on democratic lines rather than strict commercial lines with the aim of transparency, inclusiveness, one person-one-vote and other key concepts of democracy. With its vast religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity, India provides an exceptional example of a vibrant democracy with a composite political landscape. Basically, there are 3 main sorts of media Print Media (Newspapers, Magazines), Broadcast Media (TV, Radio), Outdoor or Out of Home (OOH) Media, Internet (Social Media).

ROLE OF MEDIA IN DEMOCRACY

Media acts as a bridge between the individuals and the government and also an extremely powerful tool with the ability to make and break the opinion of the individual. Democracy can’t achieve success without free press. It’s very essential, as it is the voice of the individuals however media shall fall as a victim to some monetary or any other temptations, and shall stick with serving individuals honestly. Media constituted as the fourth pillar of democracy. It plays an essential role in shaping human minds. It makes the citizen or the people at large aware about day to day activities in politics, sports, economic, social and cultural fields. It conjointly shows the blank truth and also the harsh facts by acting as a mirror. However, it plays an important role in shaping the general public minds and conjointly the democracy. It is referred to as the backbone of democracy because it empowers the individuals through information also media arranges debates on current affairs and contradicting policies so that utterly different views may be listed.

Power of speech is euphoria to a person. Freedom of speech and expression has been affirmed as a special right of the democratic society. Under Article 19 (1) (a) the freedom of press has been included under the Constitution of India. It’s not specifically mentioned but it’s necessary as the press and an individual or citizen was same as far as their right of expression was concerned. Though the press and media enjoy the freedom in expressing their views, these freedoms aren’t absolute and are subject to constrained restrictions. The Supreme Court in Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras[1], held in this case, entry and circulation of the English journal “Cross Road”, printed and published in Bombay, was banned by the Government of Madras. The same was held to be violative of the freedom of speech and expression, as “without liberty of circulation, publication would be of little value”.

In Union of India v/s Association for Democratic Reforms[2], the Court held that, Freedom of speech and expression includes right to impart and receive information which incorporates freedom to carry opinion.

Sakal Papers v/s Union of India[3], the Daily Newspapers (Price and Page) Order, and 1960 that mounted the quantity of pages and size that a newspaper might publish at a price was held to be offending of freedom of press and not a reasonable restriction under the Article 19(2).

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDIA

The press and other people connected with media owe a higher responsibility towards the society and so the people of this country. In the changed scenario, when we face multiple challenges with machinery and therefore the individuals at large are needed to face the challenges of globalization and international developments, the press, administrative machinery and the people at large are required to face the challenges with abundant sincerity. Thus smooth functioning of democratic methodology, watchful eyes of the legislature is crucial and at the sometime the public opinion and the liberty of the press ought to be safeguarded of course under the Constitutional boundaries and permissible limits. In a democratic country like India the media has following responsibilities:

i.                    To equip the individuals with unbiased data. Media shall not taint the facts; they shall present them as they’re.

ii.                  To play vital role in broadening the thinking of the individuals, by empowering them with knowledge. In a country like India where there’s vital rate of illiteracy, it is the duty of media to impart knowledge and broaden their views.

iii.                 To fairly criticize any action it, is against the spirit of justice or basis of democracy.

iv.                To imply the concept practices and play a vital role in initiating the correct procedure against the societies who are accused of any antisocial activities, in spite of any political connection.

v.                  To foster the spirit of unity and brotherhood among the individuals, and install belief in democracy and justice. If the media adheres strictly to its duties then the democracy will be enjoyed in true sense by the civilians of India.

CONCLUSION

The power and significance of media in democratic society is world illustrious. The media works as a watchdog of the government and carry each report of the actions of administration thereby keeping the individuals acquainted concerning of the day to day happenings that are going down around them. For appropriate functioning of a democratic system, there should be transparency and authority. Democracy cannot be successful without free press. Free press is indivisible part of democracy also because it’s the voice of the people. Freedom of speech and expression is one such right that the citizens are entitled to. Media is the sword arm of democracy, it is playing very significant role in Indian democracy. Every individual is a medium of expression. Media plays very emphatic role in awakening people against many evils prevailing in the society like child marriage, killing of female unborn child, the evil practice of child labour etc. Modern media i.e. electronic media has enhanced the quality of democratic process by providing a platform for public participation on issues of national or social concern in a manner that is able to influence the Government.