Journalism goes beyond preserving democracy, it actually promotes and enhances it. It has rightly been called the ‘eyes and ears’ of a democracy since it moulds public opinion with respect to various government policies. By objectively presenting the causes, goals and implications of, say a particular government action, it lets the public decide whether or not it is appropriate and adequate. Therefore journalists serve as watchdogs of officialdom, providing a communal voice to the electorate.
The main purpose of the very existence of the press is to cater to the peoples right to know – a basic human right and a key constitutional principle. Living in today’s complex, intricate and interwoven society, the people need to know the TRUTH and its effects. Lets take for instance, the scenario of a war. The truth may challenge the assertions made by the government but it is the duty of the journalist to investigate, research and provide to the pubic news (not compromising on national security and ethics, of course), that is accurate, courageous, citizen focused, independent minded and fair balanced. There has been times when the media, especially during the Cold War period, when the media played the role of mere loudspeakers of the government, accepting and validating the political versions of the truth. For example, when the Soviet Union shot down a Korean passenger airline, the American media stuck to the US President’s version of the incident ignoring the Russian justification (which later turned out to be the truth). Therefore it is essential that the media publish a balanced, fair and true account, doing so it can widen horizons and radically improve people’s perspectives, being the literal Oracle it is.
Today s the day of Information Revolution ushered in mainly by the media. For the progress of the individual and society at large, there should be freedom of flow of information in the social, political, economical and scientific spheres. This is where the press comes in bearing in its bosom information, essential to all, and dispelling the darkness that is ignorance, with its steady strides forward.
Ignorance is not bliss, what you don’t know can hurt you and hurt you bad. How could people have becomes aware of it and taken suitable steps if it was not for the media to inform and enlighten? This is one simple case illustrating the liberating and essential power of knowledge.
The media has kit he world together and made it a smaller r place. Accessing distant lands without leaving the precincts of ones home is the priviledge afforded to the public by the media.
Agreed that some wings of the press, especially magazines and tabloids, sensationalize news just because it sells. Agreed that entertainment has been the focus of many publications. But anyone who comprehends the true ideals, aims and the role of journalism in building our society will always advocate and proclaim firmly that journalism is not a mere branch of the entertainment industry.
Journalism, in its true sense, is and always has been all about serving the people through their basic right to know. Not a few lives have been laid down on this altar for the sake of The Call, defending and upholding its values. Throughout the pages of history, journalism has threaten the ‘mighty’, upheld the rights of the downtrodden, put forth the views if the public, raised a voice on behalf of the voiceless and done noble service to the people. The very expression ‘A pen is mightier than a sword’ speaks volumes about the power of this institution of the press.
Therefore, I conclude that journalism is not a branch of the entertainment industry, but is an instrumental enterprise in the safeguarding of the democracy and basic freedoms and which provides true service to the people.
