Press: Need for Media Commission - Essay, UPSC MAINS | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Press: Need for Media Commission

structure

(1) Opening    —    The Public media—partners in development.

(2) Body    —    Freedom of the press.

    —    Right to freedom.

    —    Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are the most cherished values.

    —    Some restraints on the freedom.

    —    The Press Council.

    —    Vast expansion of electronic media.

    —    Sacred duty to perform.

(3) Closing    —    Long-standing need for setting up of Media Commission.

The public media—newspapers, magazines, radio, television etc. are in a way partners in development. They play an important role, in a parliamentary democracy, in that they keep the people informed of what is happening in parliament. They form a vital link between the policy-makers and the public, and have a profound influence in projecting basic information about the plans or programmes for socio-economic betterment. They provide an evaluative feedback to the government on the impact of these programmes.

The Press can discharge these functions effectively only if it enjoys what is termed as ‘freedom of the Press’, which connotes freedom to hold opinion to receive and to impart information through the printed word without any interference from any public authority. But freedom carries with it certain responsibilities. It is not a freedom of the jungle or a license. In the first amendment to US constitution which supports press freedom in unqualified terms, the US Supreme Court had to lay down reasonable restriction on the exercise of such freedom.

The founding fathers who had been in the vanguard of the struggle for freedom provided a balance, and while ensuring the right to freedom of speech and expression, they also added a provision “that nothing in the grant of that right shall prevent the state from making any law containing reasonable restrictions on the exercise of that right in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to the offence.”

Freedom of the Press has not been expressly stated in the Constitution, but it is implicit in the fundamental right of the ‘freedom of speech and expression’ guaranteed to the citizens under article 19(1)(a) of the constitution. Various judicial decisions pinpoint to the fact that freedom of speech and expression include freedom of the Press.

Freedom of the Press and freedom of expression are the most cherished values. Whenever attempts are made by the government either through an executive order or through legislation to put curbs on the media, it has resisted them with full force and well-knit unity. These are the moments when the situations are critical, pressures are subtle and divergent views exist between the government and press on some vital matters affecting the economic, social, religious and political life of the community. Such moments test the mettle of the press. The press comes out victorious but only if the character of the newspaper it represents is beyond reproach and its ideas are sincere and lofty. 

There are however some specified areas where some restraints may be put on the freedom of the press. These are the security of the State and the country’s relations with foreign nations. With the coming up of investigative journalism,. the right of information is very essential. It is a basic right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. To make the Press play an effective watchdog role of public interests, this right needs to be given statutory recognition in India as has been done in other countries like Australia.

In India, certain constraints operate in the defence information policy with the result that information on defence related matters may not be available to the public or the media on grounds of secrecy, public interest or Government privilege.

The Press  Council considers that the Official Secrets Act comes in conflict with investigative journalism on defence-related matters. It has rightly framed guidelines for the benefit of investigative journalists so that investigation is based on facts, duly verified. So while reviewing the Official Secrets Act, the nature of facts and functions which have to be kept secret, should be clearly defined by a statute.

In the present times, there has been vast expansion of electronic media like the television and the radio. The audio-visual effect of television is so strong and serious that it can sway the young minds profoundly and even devastatingly. It is likely to expand more and reach the common men, especially the illiterates in the far-off villages of India and will have serious impact in the minds of the people. The TV has great advantage over the Press, as it directly apparels to the hearts of the people and influences their minds, as the films do.

In the 21st century, even if electronic media continues to be a strong contender, the importance of the print media as a communicator may not be so much affected and diminished especially among the intelligentsia and the reading public. The people will continue to feel that electronic media may have a bias in favour of the Government and be not so impartial. So the Press is no doubt onerous but with stronger power and influence that it may wield as a result of further growth in printing technology, it is hoped that it will be able to play a positive and effective role in fulfilling the aspirations of the people as expressed in the preamble to the Constitution adopted by them, that is, a Secular, Socialist, Democratic polity with social and economic justice to all.

The Press has a sacred duty to perform. It has to see that its comments are duly verified and supported by facts. It has also to maintain its responsibility in reporting cases in such a way that the courts and legislature are not brought to disrespect resulting in the danger of the people losing faith in them.

There is a long-standing need for setting up of Media Commission as an improvement on the previous Press Commissions.  It is felt that the commission can go a long way in confronting and solving the problems of the information world. It can check rivalries between the audio-visual media and the print media, listen to mutual complaints, decide legal issues and suggest the saner course of action.