Instead of taking a close look at its own policies that led to the recent public agitations, The government is now looking at ways to attack freedom of press, just for being the carrier of bad news.
The history of the government stepping in as regulator has not been impressive. Moreover, the latest proposal does not seem to augur well for the already tarnished image of the UPA. “The fast-expanding soft power of modern media came out loud and clear during the Anna Hazare movement. This power needs to be understood, appreciated and suitably harnessed,” opines B. Raman, Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, and presently Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. Rather than learning the lessons on how soft media galvanised the youth, the government is indicating that it would like to regulate this very soft media. Critics feel that this is certainly not a move in favour of progress.
The catch here is that the apparent aggression by the government to jump into regulation is not actually based on the noble idea of making the institution of media, also dubbed as the fourth pillar of our democracy, more accountable. The timing of the move suggests that the government is angry with the wide coverage that the media has given to the now frequent apolitical agitations against the way this government has been functioning. In such a scenario, if the government is to start regulating news content, all news items related to public angst against the government and issues of corrupt government practices would be termed unsuitable. This would essentially mean that the press will have to recuse itself of its primary duties of providing true, fair and unbiased information to its readers or viewer that relates in particular to the government of the day. More than anything else, it is about the government’s consistent lack of vision and a sense of priorities. Irrespective of whose government is in power, media policy in India fluctuates between the state’s desire to control on one hand and its neglect of the key issues on the other.
Today, the entire world, including China where the media is totally state-controlled, is waking up to the soft power of media. India, however, is thinking of setting up a group to deal with the accountability and regulation of media. The government, instead of blaming the media for the public flak that it has received for its own misgivings, should focus on its own deeds that lead to such agitations. Perhaps getting more interactive and participative with the media through its leaders and spokespersons could work better. The question the government should be asking is how they can facilitate the growth of this sector, instead of looking at dictatorial ways and means to regulate it.
The catch here is that the apparent aggression by the government to jump into regulation is not actually based on the noble idea of making the institution of media, also dubbed as the fourth pillar of our democracy, more accountable. The timing of the move suggests that the government is angry with the wide coverage that the media has given to the now frequent apolitical agitations against the way this government has been functioning. In such a scenario, if the government is to start regulating news content, all news items related to public angst against the government and issues of corrupt government practices would be termed unsuitable. This would essentially mean that the press will have to recuse itself of its primary duties of providing true, fair and unbiased information to its readers or viewer that relates in particular to the government of the day. More than anything else, it is about the government’s consistent lack of vision and a sense of priorities. Irrespective of whose government is in power, media policy in India fluctuates between the state’s desire to control on one hand and its neglect of the key issues on the other.
Today, the entire world, including China where the media is totally state-controlled, is waking up to the soft power of media. India, however, is thinking of setting up a group to deal with the accountability and regulation of media. The government, instead of blaming the media for the public flak that it has received for its own misgivings, should focus on its own deeds that lead to such agitations. Perhaps getting more interactive and participative with the media through its leaders and spokespersons could work better. The question the government should be asking is how they can facilitate the growth of this sector, instead of looking at dictatorial ways and means to regulate it.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
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IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
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IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
Arindam Chaudhuri's Portfolio - he is at his candid best by Society Magazine
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
