Social Transformation of India

Assignment 2
Sisir Vishnubhotla - PGP/19/347
Question: Suggest three realistic measures to reform the working of the Indian media.
Answer: Indian media should take cues from The Newsroom. Even show creator, Mr Sorkin, admits
the show was not written to show how journalists cover the news, but it doesnt mean there arent a
few cues to be taken from. Listed are a few impact creating measures:
- Indian media should be accountable for all that it broaches and discusses. Given the kind of penetration the media has and the amount of impact it creates in the process, it has to be kept in mind
that everything that is shown as bad should be proved as bad and everything that is shown as good
should be proved as good. Indian penal code section 499 should be altered; currently, it is stated that
anything that harms the reputation of a person for wrong intent or calumniation is said to attract
an imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years; code should be a little stringent at the
same time it should not deny the freedom media and press currently enjoy, but it is to improve the
credibility of whatever it communicates. It is said,A free and responsible press is an important pillar
of republican architecture, as essential for a healthy democracy as the legislature or the judiciary.
Effectuality of media is observed only if the afore mentioned reform is made.
- Media should focus on owning the problems the citizens face in the country. In addition to having
debates and voicing over concerns, media should take an active role of keeping track of such problems.
If today it discusses about illegal land dealings and tomorrow it discusses about blatant corruption in
Govt. offices, it doesnt really make any progress. It has to realize its potential; it should create a self
tracking system, note all such issues, identify the problem areas, work with the authorities and discuss
the reality. Only just showing that they have identified crime or photographed an official accepting
bribe doesnt work. They should go to the extent that the case is dealt with appropriately and with
utmost importance. Most media today raise an issue, make it a social-media buzz for a couple of days
or a week and forget about it. Today, there is no place for such lopsidedness. Different faces of the
media have to come together, cogitate on addressing such issues and make a rule book that identifies
issues, defines the deadlines and keeps a track of the progress. Having a deadline is very important,
for gravity of issues are such that even a bit of slipshod work is inadmissible.
- One of the major concerns Indian media should address is the subdued orientation of All India
Radio in the news broadcast. Indian media, for quite some time now, has been a glam-sham model.
Instead of focusing on the larger good, most of its models are involved in garnering better TRPs
and improving the brand of the respective media. Press Council of India should put a check on this.
One of the ways to initiate such a change is to involve channels such as All India Radio to actively
participate in News broadcasting. By doing this, the journalists can use their voice to broach issues.
Also, even today, a large portion of senior citizens rely on this medium to be informed about current
affairs and other advances. Quality of news in this medium is immense and focused. Vested interests
and materialism can be curbed if such medium is given due recognition.
Simplicity is the glory of expression