Responsible journalism: A necessity in India today
Bashing media professionals about their sensationalism has become a habit, but are all these professionals unethical? Media (often termed as the fourth pillar of democracy) plays a pivotal role in influencing mindsets across the country, which makes it essential for us to ensure that we are consuming information from the right channels.
While it’s easy to talk about everything the media is doing wrong, it’s time for us to start paying attention to media outlets that report independently, and by virtue of doing so, aid in maintaining good governance in India.
What is independent media?
Independent media operates free of any influence from both the government and the corporate sector.
Here are a few defining aspects of Independent Media:
Report news in-depth, without opinions
Common interest stories and events
Provide the people with facts and facts alone
Data-driven journalism, that is, use facts and verifiable data
Their stories often take shape of long investigative stories
Offer plurality in diversity in voices
Talk about issues that would otherwise be swept under the rug
When people get information from independent sources, they are encouraged to think critically and form their own opinions, making independent media vital for any democracy.
How does independent media aid in governance?
With independent media around, the government is forced to be more transparent and accountable to the citizens of the country.
Independent media channels function without external influence – this means that they can spread word accurately about government policies and happenings, making them responsible for democratizing access to information and mainstream development issues.
Research has shown that there is a clear link between freedom of independent media, low levels of corruption and overall improved delivery of public services.
How can we identify independent media channels?
Differentiating conventional media channels from independent ones is fairly simple. Here are some pointers to get you started:
Research & Data: Reporting news requires research. Look for graphs and statistics – that’s a sign that the team thoroughly looked into the subject matter.
Opinions: Keep an eye out for personal opinions or a religious/political bias – is the article telling you what to think or encouraging you to think for yourself?
Paid media: Is your media channel usually leaning towards the same political party no matter what the issue? If so, they might have a partnership with the party.
Organizations such as CGNet Swara, Khabar Lahariya and Charkha are some of the best examples of independent media. They strive to reach remote parts of India and cover conflicts and events that nobody else is talking about. What’s more, they work with communities to ensure that the voices of people is heard.
What role can we play?
India is at the cusp of both economic and social change, and it is vital that we, as citizens, remain informed and aware of the happenings in the country. We need to think critically about events and engage with others who are doing the same.
So, begin by paying attention to the source of the information you are consuming – look for independent media channels and share their work. When you consume independent media, you are broadening their circulation and giving them a platform. A platform, that is vital towards sustainable, good governance.
What are your views on the condition of media in India, and how do you think we can encourage responsible journalism? Send your views on jaagorein@gmail.com or write to us on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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