Essays: Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy (August 2024) | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." – Jim Morrison

Media plays an essential role in any democratic society by informing the public, shaping opinion, and holding power accountable. However, the increasing presence of biased media poses a significant danger to the democratic foundation of India. In recent times, Indian media has faced criticism for biased reporting, sensationalism, and lack of objectivity.

The media, often called the fourth pillar of democracy alongside the executive, legislative, and judiciary, is meant to inform citizens, foster debate, and act as a watchdog. India's diverse media landscape, spanning print, broadcast, and digital platforms, has evolved since independence. Unfortunately, the rise of biased media outlets has blurred the line between news and propaganda, endangering democracy.

These biased outlets often prioritize sensationalism over serious news, using inflammatory rhetoric to attract audiences. This contributes to misinformation and the polarization of society along religious, ethnic, and political lines. Such reporting can sway public opinion, influence elections, and damage the credibility of democratic institutions.

Various challenges like political pressure, corporate influence, and legal threats worsen media bias in India. The concentration of media ownership within a few conglomerates limits diverse viewpoints and encourages self-censorship. These issues prevent the media from properly fulfilling its democratic duty of holding the powerful accountable.

Political influence over media is common in India, with governments often attempting to shape the narrative and suppress dissenting voices. Media outlets are sometimes manipulated by political parties, with advertisements being used as leverage to suppress the truth and promote fake news.

Corporate interests also heavily influence media through ownership and advertising revenue. For instance, the Reliance Group, a major Indian conglomerate, controls several media outlets. Critics argue that Reliance's business interests may bias media coverage to align with their corporate agenda, thus compromising journalistic integrity.

The impact of biased media on Indian democracy is profound. It erodes public trust, encourages cynicism, and undermines the pluralism that defines Indian society. By shaping public opinion and manipulating elections, biased media threatens the very foundation of democratic norms and values.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the media spread misleading stories about the death toll and the government’s response, exacerbating the crisis. Twitter censorship of critical tweets and pro-government outlets blaming farmers' protests for oxygen shortages distorted reality and deepened mistrust in the media. This undermined their role in holding power accountable. Furthermore, attacks on journalists who expose corruption or criticize political leaders endanger press freedom.

The case of Sonam Wangchuk, an environmentalist who recently undertook a 21-day fast in Ladakh to raise awareness about the region’s environmental issues, saw little coverage from major media outlets, despite the significance of his protest and the support from local socio-political bodies like the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

The media frenzy surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput’s case is another example of sensationalism overshadowing important national issues. The relentless media coverage turned his tragic death into an endless spectacle, focusing on sensational allegations rather than the real tragedy. Meanwhile, other crucial issues in the country were ignored. The Bombay High Court later acknowledged the damage caused by trial by media, which obstructed fair criminal investigations. The role of media is to inform, not to manipulate public perception.

The practice of "paid news", where media outlets accept money from political parties to publish favorable stories or suppress negative coverage, undermines journalism's integrity and erodes public trust. This practice is especially common during elections, as seen in the run-up to the 2014 Indian general elections.

One-sided media coverage of the CAA-NRC protests misled the minorities, leading to widespread protests. The media played a significant role in shaping public perception of the CAA, often using sensationalism to focus on specific narratives, polarizing society and spreading misinformation.

Addressing biased media requires collective action from policymakers, journalists, civil society, and the public. Stronger regulations and mechanisms are needed to hold media outlets accountable for ethical breaches. Media literacy programs should be introduced to educate citizens about critical thinking and the importance of discerning reliable sources. Independent media watchdogs should be empowered to monitor content and handle public complaints. Additionally, promoting diversity in the media through initiatives like community media can counterbalance the influence of biased media conglomerates.

Biased media is a grave threat to Indian democracy by undermining transparency, accountability, and pluralism. Its sensationalism and misinformation subvert democratic processes and deepen social divisions. To protect press freedom and uphold media integrity, reforms must be enacted to root out media bias. Upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics and promoting media diversity are crucial to ensuring India remains true to its democratic ideals.

"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth." — Mahatma Gandhi