Crumbling Pillar |
Democracy rests on four essential pillars ~ the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, and the media. While the first three are required to operate within structured constitutional frameworks, the fourth pillar is expected to function independently, as the voice of the people and the conscience of the nation. Its role is not merely to inform, but to question, analyze, and hold power accountable.
Yet today, we must ask: has the media remained true to this noble responsibility, or has it gradually shifted from amplifying public concerns to echoing the interests of influence and profit? In the age of digital connectivity, media has evolved from newspapers and radio to television and social platforms. This transformation has empowered millions ~ especially the youth and semi-literate masses ~ with instant access to information. Mobile phones have become the new window to the world, even in remote corners of India.
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However, this reach comes with responsibility. Visual media, especially television and social platforms, possess unmatched power to shape perceptions. Their repetitive rhetoric and emotionally charged visuals often influence public opinion more than facts. In contrast, print media ~ though more restrained and analytical ~ reaches a limited, educated audience capable of forming independent judgments. It is important to acknowledge that print media operates under constraints: limited reach, economic pressures, and a shrinking space for dissent. Yet it continues to serve as a vital platform for thoughtful discourse. The real concern lies in the disproportionate influence of electronic media, which often prioritizes sensation over substance.
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Television debates, once meant to foster dialogue, have become theatrical performances. Party spokespersons and celebrity panellists dominate screens, while grassroots voices and independent experts are sidelined. Rational discourse is replaced by aggressive rhetoric, leaving citizens with fragmented perspectives. The coverage of sensitive operations, such as the much-hyped “Operation Sindoor,” often veers into the realm of oration and unverified claims, ultimately eroding credibility. The absence of fact-based, sober........