Journalism specifically deals with coverage of news and delivery of the same to common public through various means such as -
● Electronics (Radio, Television, Apps, Blogs, Articles)
● Print (Newspapers, Journals, Magazines)
In earlier times journalism was considered as a noble profession, but the question is about whether it is the same as earlier or now it is turned into a profession of money and muscle power ???
The person in power generally controls media and this leads to destruction of an important pillar of our democracy.
A Noble and Dangerous Profession
Why is journalism a prime target which everyone wants to hit and grab a control over it ?????
The target has not originated in past few years, it is from the colonial period itself. There were weekly magazines published and newspapers made people aware about the developments for independence movement and highlighting the tortures, ill-treatment, and destructive policies of Britishers existing in India.
Britishers saw it as a major threat to their existence hence they enacted various acts to stop freedom of press and many more steps such as killing journalists, imprisoning them, bribing them for furnishing false information.
Well it was violated after independence too. During emergency Indira Gandhi has imposed severe restrictions on freedom of press, many journalists were dragged from their home and imprisoned for commenting on government, it's policies, it's leaders.
According to the data of Ministry of Home Affairs 7000 journalists were jailed during emergency, several printing presses were raided and sealed and went out of circulation.
But the atrocities haven't stopped, the journalists are still jailed for commenting on the government at all levels, civil servants, corporates by any means through newspapers, electronic media, tweets etc.
Intolerance in India ????
Yes there's a growth in intolerance in India in past decade for sure, according to some reports
In 2021, 293 journalists were imprisoned, 24 journalists were killed in relation to their reporting.
In 2020, 274 journalists were jailed
In 2019 nearly 250 journalists were jailed
They are jailed in small cases and big cases. For example-
7 journalists were charged with Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in UP in 2020.
Some are also charged in National Security Act.
These 2 acts make their detention up to 6 months without trial and aren't treated well in police custody and are sometimes murdered in mysterious circumstances.
Then they are charged for Sedition Law {124 - A of IPC} which gives government of state and central unlimited powers to charge people with sedition that is, commenting on government by means of writing, verbal communication, for life imprisonment which is worst for countries like India which is the largest democracy.
Sometimes if they comment on ruling of judiciary or any of their personal means then also they are charged of Contempt Of Court for good reasons too.
Is danger to journalism only from 3 organs of Government ??????
You all might be answering it as Yes, but the answer is "NO".
Many journalists are threatened, taught by the companies in which they work.
They are asked to comply with the requirements or objectives of firms.
They are asked to promote only a specific topic which will gather more views to maintain their TRP, and neglect other which bars other issues.
Sometimes they are asked not to name few personalities, as it can hamper their channels views.
Targeting specific politicians result in party's pull back of their representatives from that specific channel.
You must be logged in to post a comment.