Blog, Current News

Before talking about the responsibility of media. Let us first see, what media is?

 

What is media?

Media, the plural form of medium, are the communication tools used to store and deliver information. It includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting media such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboard, direct mail, telephone, fax and internet.

Eventually, Gutenberg’s printing press, satellite broadcaster – television and radio – became extremely important for a democratic society. When the radio was launched it was said that ‘radio will liberate mankind!’

Now, the internet indicates another communication revolution making it possible to circulate information, images and word around the world within seconds. The growing use of mobile phones, as a distribution platform for both news and entertainment, have created new avenues.

Truth, fairness and objectivity are the stimulants of media. It influences not only the way people dress, talk, but also their thinking, attitudes and opinions.

 

Some of the things to ponder about media are:

 

Fake News

New York Times defines fake news as “made-up story with an intention to deceive, often for a secondary gain is arguably one of the most serious challenges facing the news industry today”. After that, some softwares can automatically detect fake news.

 

Paid News

India media suffers from corruption in form of paid news. Above all, the media also suffers from inequalities in the society sadly.  People associated with media are mostly white, mostly male, mostly those with money access the Internet. There is an underrepresentation of Adivasis, Dalits, marginalized section of society in media .

 

So what do you think the responsibility of media should be?

 

Responsibility of Media

• Media is labelled as the fourth pillar of democracy. They should act as a watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and create public awareness.
• Social responsibility of media is towards individuals, society in general and government bodies.
  The criticsm of coverage of Aarushi-Hemraj murder case by media was widespread.. It was derogatory towards the individual. The people are are not alive can not defend themselves. Thus, media should not jump to conclusions before the verdict from the court.
• Issues related to violence obscenity, pornography, indecency, religion and sex should be presented carefully by the media. It’s important not to let ‘Page 3’ culture turn to ‘Page 1’ culture.
• Governing bodies and officials include the reporting of Judiciary, Electoral Campaigning, etc. The Indian media extensively covered real reason for Maharashtra’s farmers’ suicide. Other illustrious media coverages are Watergate scandal, Wikileaks.

 

Thus, we can conclude that the scenario is not bleak. The incredible youth talent has an attraction towards media. Their take on media is with a social obligation in great zeal which is promising. The best part is that the reading public and viewing public are far ahead of editors, owners and channel proprietors.

 

We, at Patna Dairies, would like to contribute in being a responsible media.What do you think are the other responsibilities of media? Do let us know in the comment box below.