MEDIA in or out? MEDIA CHANNELS WILL BE RENEWED LICENSE SUBJECT TO THE CONTENT AIRED BY THEM ONLY – wow! But would it not place journalism in a disadvantageous position? Of course self-regulation and ethical content verification is important before any content is released out of PRESS but is this the only way? Right to freedom of speech and expression, one of our fundamental rights, is available to all citizens of India, so why won’t it be the same for members of the Press? Obviously if the content broadcasted is not justified or is fake, the consequences of LAW prevail on both the journalist as well as the media house, so do we actually need to curb their freedom in this fashion?
Does anyone judge the authenticity of the content aired or is the common people even aware if what so ever is presented to them is not maligned or manipulated? Not that corruption or manipulation does not exist in the media, because wherever there is money, corruption is bound to exist, at least in India. There has to be better ways to bring out authenticity of content. Why not may be have a dedicated RTI Act for Media houses? The media has an important role and responsibility towards the society. So if they have to be held accountable, they have to be answerable to the common man and not the government alone.
Like the RTI has brought to light several unscrupulous activities of the Government and its agencies, the RTI dedicated to the media should also bring out any corruption or nexus between media houses and politics. At least the common man is aware today that several media houses are owned by political groups or are influenced by them, so how will this law bring about discipline in the media houses or even the journalists? Don’t we think that news like commodity are also bought and sold at high-profile consortiums as well?