7

Mar

Social Media and the Crisis Before Indian Journalism

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A person with white hair and glasses AI-generated content may be incorrect.The controversy surrounding the Ranveer Allahbadia case and the Supreme Court order of last Monday has brought the issue of social media vagaries on the forefront. Though the order of Justice  Surya Kant is on the question of vulgarity and violation of  “ known moral standards “ of decency ,which was the basis of the case, the issue is much broader as it concerns the all-important  question of media ethics.  The time has come to critically examine the entire media spectrum  and to know as to  what is wrong about our media, said to be the Fourth Estate of a democratic society after legislature, executive and judiciary.

Media is a broad-based term that includes news media, traditional media, social media, advertising and public relations. There is a subtle but very important difference between media and news media which is traditionally called and popularly known as journalism or press. It is the most important form of media as it is supposed to provide, correct, truthful and objective information to people without fear or favour and help them in making up their minds about social and policy-making issues.

Let us talk here only about the news media or journalism which is passing through the most difficult phase of its 250 years of existence since the first newspaper was printed in Kolkata in the year 1775. Various factors like the advent and uncontrolled growth of social media platforms, the greed of business houses and crony capitalists controlling news media organisations, a decline of the liberal and democratic temper of society, totalitarian trends and the anti-independent media attitude of the present political establishment, audience apathy and a general mood of cynicism have combined to create an existential crisis before the news media as never before. Tragically, we are mostly unaware about this. The so-called goddi media is just a symptom of a much bigger malaise.

 

Column at a Glance
The Ranveer Allahbadia case and a recent Supreme Court ruling have sparked a broader discussion on media ethics, particularly regarding the role of social media and traditional journalism in society. Justice Surya Kant's order addresses issues of vulgarity and moral standards, highlighting the need for a critical examination of the media, often referred to as the Fourth Estate.
Friday Fuss
By Pradeep Mathur
The article emphasizes the distinction between general media and news media, which should provide truthful and objective information. However, the news media faces an existential crisis due to factors like the rise of social media, corporate greed, and political pressures. The credibility of journalism has declined, with "Fake, Favourite, and Frivolous" news undermining its integrity. The Supreme Court's support for decency norms is seen as a positive step, urging a return to serious and objective reporting to foster informed public discourse and promote societal development.

 

Good journalism or news media has been characterised by three words. -- Free, Frank and Fearless. Since long news has been written and edited by sincere and professionally honest journalists on the criteria of these three Fs. At the present moment when the credibility of news media has touched rock bottom the three Fs are still being practised but their definition has changed. Now they stand for Fake,  Favourite and Frivolous  .  The three Fs in their new avatar are a big threat to the  Fourth Estate whose good health is as crucial to our democratic framework as of any constitutional institution.

While Fake news spreads falsehood and favouritism kills objectivity, the very soul of news and truthful information,  frivolous news turns away serious and thinking people from news media downgrading the quality of media audiences –something which we are witnessing today. And this is a major threat to the efforts of building an enlightened public opinion for proper governance in a our society where large sections of people are making a determined effort to rise from ignorance, illiteracy and backwardness.

It is a good omen that the Supreme Court has spoken in support of the basic social norms of decency in our society. Let us hope it also defines the right role of news media in our society and puts restrictions on the unethical and undesirable practices going on under the cover of the constitutional provision of the freedom of expression. 

As citizens of this great country, we have to make a determined effort towards serious and objective writing in news media so that the culture of a well-informed,  rational and intelligent debate on public policy issues is strengthened . This is essential for the good of our people and the speedy development of our country.

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