The Power of the PRESS
INDIA is one of the democratic countries of the world. the democracy is based on freedom of speech, thought and expression. the most important function of a newspaper in a democratic government is to spread political awareness among the public.the success of democracy is depends upon the judicious of one's vote, which is impossible without political education and a newspaper is the most effective source available to us for this type of education. In cities, morning tea cannot be enjoyed without a newspaper. Clubs, coffee-houses, restaurants, tea-stalls and hotels cannot go without discussions or chit-chats on the news of the day.
The Importance of the Press: the news paper keep us in touch with the events of our country and that of the world. it is a very good agency of information and education. Articles appear on all subject- science, culture, literature, politics, commerce and education, etc. in periodicals and newspapers. these article increase out knowledge and broaden our outlook. the newspapers given the current of ideas and control the course of social and political life. Businessmen come to know the market situation and prices of various things,such as gold, silver, etc. The worried parents get information about brides and bridegrooms for their sons and daughters. the press brings employment to the jobless. employees to the employers and buyers to the sellers etc. as agent of propaganda, it can create war today and make peace tomorrow. The press performs a very important role as guide, educator and check to the public and to the government. It keeps our knowledge of current affairs up-to-date.
Views of some Greatmen about the power of the Press: Napoleon said that he was more afraid of the newspaper than of hundred thousand bayonets. It has been said 'Mightiest of the mighty is the Press.' Roosevelt once said, "Freedom of conscience of education, of speech of assembly are among the fundamentals of democracy, and all of them would be nullified if freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged." Burke once said that there were three Estates in the parliament but 'press' was the fourth Estate, more powerful than all the other estates. the influence of the press on the people in no less than on the government. It tries to create a healthy public opinion by exposing the shortcomings.
Press is not Free from Flaws: The Press is monopolised by big businessmen or political parties. they use it in their own interests. sometimes the Press-reports misrepresents facts and figures,wilful perversion and distortion of facts, prejudice against caste and creed and malicious propaganda cause much harm to nation and a serious set-back to democracy. the papers patronised by capitalists suppress truth, inflame passions and misguide the innocent public. They oppose or misrepresent the government policies. Sometimes they mislead the public by inserting in their columns domestic scandal, spicy stories of crimes, obscence jokes and curde love stories.
Freedom of the Press: The Press, eversince independence, has been enjoying full freedom. The freedom of press is suppressed in dictatorship, during the emergency period in our country, the press freedom of the press was restricted and only those items of news which served the interests of the dictators, were published in the newspapers. The Defence of India rules and the Maintenance of Internal security act were misused by the government. The fall of congress Government was consequent upon the fact that is denied full freedom to the press, The Janata Government removed all restriction. with a view to freeing the press from the slavery of the capitalist and the government, it is necessary to establish the working class and popular press.
Press in our country needs to be reformed: The Central Government is proposing to make a legislation to cure the press of its ills. The bill includes diffusion of ownership, representation of employees in the management, protection of small papers and pricing of papers according to the page. It is fact, that the press needs to be reformed in our country. but the government should do it without robbing the press of its freedom.
The Press in benefactor of mankind. it is a social reformer, a champion of freedom and democracy, a teacher of common man and an importance critic of public. It is a very good source of entertainment. hence the press owes responsibility towards citizens and the government. The editor has to discharge his duties with utmost care and sincerity. The pen of an editor is mighter than the sword of Napoleon.
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