introduction
Media are the most important dynamic way for broadcasting of information. Media have spread its roots in an extremely terrific manner from cranky radio signals in villages, your daily cup of tea that is incomplete without newspaper, catching up on the prime time news shows to know the updates throughout the day or even catching up a quick piece of news on the internet through your smartphones. Hence, for smooth functioning of democracy as it helps in forming public opinion on various vibrant topics, the role of media is extremely critical. As the fourth estate, as it is not a non-state element aimed at protecting citizens. All forms of media have a specific set of followers and, therefore, they together guarantee better governance.
Different reaches but Common impact
The journey of advancement of media is interesting. Broadcasting the information regarding freedom struggle of great leaders was the responsibility of Print media. Despite strong competition, Print media is still popular and is the preferred medium for reaching out to common people as well as classes.
On the other side, the Radio is a simple medium as well as portable. Radio wields its impact greatly in rural areas where majority are not well educated. Since a large number of the population is still illiterate, this medium is critical for government as well who would like to communicate any urgent information like weather related warnings.
It is a well-known fact that visual medium does have the greatest impact and television is a medium that continues to grab the maximum eyeballs. The presentation and the attractive visuals do ensure that maximum mass of the country is tuned in for both entertainment and information. Internet is the latest medium that combines the audio and visual effects to reach out to millions of users globally. People can access internet according to their convenient time which is not possible by television or radio. The power of social media and internet is now widespread. To reach out the maximum youths, the government is now increasingly focusing on the internet.
Why Media are particularly important for India?
Media have an important role in ensuring the criteria of good governance are met from time to time and the criteria of good governance involve accountability, transparent, responsive, equitable and inclusive as well as effective and efficient. Good governance basically means how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources.
The involvement of media is more important in developing country like India which still reels with superstition, communalism and casteism. For eliminating poverty and other social evils, it is the responsibility of media to bring backward and underprivileged people forward and introduced them with modern ideas. Another reason why media is of paramount importance for the country is because of the vast inequality that is widespread. Despite being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, it is ranked sadly lower than even its neighbours in the Human Development Index. While a large number of journalists cover the more glamorous and glitzy events and news, less report on the number of deaths or the unemployment scenario is introduced. The prudence of media lays in helping the government in fighting diseases for example AIDS, Polio and Cancer along with promoting latest technologies for the advancement of its citizens.
Media should be attentive about the laws of the country and that they are not dishonoured by institutions of the government or any other rogue components. In this aspect, it has demonstrated its excellence in bringing to book some of the law breakers, recently, in fact, it has gone an extra mile by putting pressure to make sure that justice is given to victims. However, often we find that it exceeds its role of a supervisory body and instead efforts to give the judgment, which is the Judiciary’s responsibility.
A lot of administrations across the world have faced charges of corruption emphasised by media and that has often led to either dethroning of corrupt administration or bringing in more transparency into the system. Hence, the fourth estate can help in effectiveness to the existing scheme of things as well.
One of the toughest roles of media is that it tries to involve millions of viewers, listeners or readers. In this manner, the major role of ensuring contribution of its citizens in the decision-making process of the nation is done by media very well.
Conclusion
The role of media has risen over the time and it would achieve more importance in the future as many across the world still desire for better governance or at best governance itself and not repressive rule. While media does highlight some of the issues from time to time, it does not investigate deeper into the real issues. The orders and stabilities which media guarantees by reporting issues in an objective manner can go a long way in confirming that governance by government would be fair and productive.