Essays

Today, in this ultra modern world, thy role of media and particularly of Print Media has been augmenting tidy by day. It has been serving as a vigilant watchdog of India. Print Media has created an awareness among the people regarding their rights and duties. Print Media has been nicknamed as 'News Monger' or the Fourth Estate. We can update ourselves just by going through the morning newspaper, getting each and every kind of news from every nook and corner of the world. It is due to the effect of the Print Media that people associated with robberies, thefts, murders, rapes, drugs and alcoholism are constantly under the fear of being caught and recognized. Through this medium we get news of all that is happening around us—good as well as bad. It is the only ray of hope through which 'India' can see a better tomorrow. 

There has been a worldwide growth of the Print Media even after the emergence of the electronic media. There has been an increase in the circulation of newspapers around the world even after the emergence of electronic media and the internet, The newspapers do play a very important role in the working of any democracy. Our Constitution too grants us the Right to Freedom of Expression which is manifested, in free press in our country. In a democracy, newspapers are the best way of educating people politically and socially. They play a decisive role not only in updating the public but also in formulating a well-balanced public opinion. The public reads about the current events, interprets them and learns to intelligently participate in the political, social and economic affairs of the country. Print Media also works as d bridge between the government and the people. People get to know about the latest policies of the government and it also builds up the public opinion, their likes, dislikes or demands. In fact, newspapers are the vox populi or voice of the- people in any country. It is the common man's university, giving lessons on life at large.

Newspapers are a powerful vehicle for propaganda. The common man finds the leaven of thought from the newspapers so that he can formulate his own opinions, ideas and judgments about the issues that press the current political, economic and social scenario, in the past, critical situations like the Chinese aggression against India, the Sino-Soviet rift, negotiations between the countries on issues regarding disarmament or nuclear test ban proposals, the Pakistani invasion, formation of Bangladesh, party wrangles etc, have been handled with great maturity by the press. Who can deny the- role that newspapers play during the time of budget, elections or even related to the implementation of various government policies or the five-year plans etc?

Newspapers also reflect public opinion thus formed through letters to the editor which are usually published in a separate column. Moreover, Print Media provides great incentive to business by large number of advertisements on a variety of things as a house on sale. shops, electronic goods, stationary, cloth stores, glass ware, crockery shops etc. Matrimonial advertisements, job-opportunities, obituaries are all advertised through the Print Media.

The Print Media, if used unwisely, tor satisfying personal greed, and without any thought towards personal responsibility, can be extremely harmful for the health of any society. If used so, instead of providing nourishment to the society, it can function as a parasite and destroy the essentials of the society. It can break instead of creating, leaving the society hollow and fragile. Many a times we see that the newspapers try to cater to the transient needs of life and to appeal to the emotions of masses instead of maintaining an intellectual level. They even lower the moral tone and publish sub-standard materials to increase their readership. Many a times newspapers try to ally themselves to particular ideology or a party instead of maintaining impartiality and indulge in mud-slinging or even communal propaganda. These thoughtless means for easy money provides temporary financial benefits to a handful of people but prove to be extremely disastrous in the end for society at large.

People involved in this profession should realize the massive responsibility they shoulder and sacredness of the duty that they perform. They should avoid personal bias and prejudice to cloud their good sense, They should rise above mischievous propaganda and blackmailing in order to serve the society better. Instead, they should try to combat social evils, communal forces and also keep the government on its toes, committed to its promises. It should try to make people politically conscious and keep patriotism and national pride alive in the people.

Print Media should also try to broaden the public view by generating interest and awareness about international events. Thus, we see that despite the rise of electronic media to prominence, it has failed to dislodge Print Media from its vantage position. Print Media still remains the most common means of creating public awareness and it will continue to be so even in the times to come. Hence, with time we need to be more responsible, discursive and vigilant as readers so as to discourage irresponsible press and create conducive environment for the formation of a responsible and mature Print Media.