The fourth pillar of fragmented journalism has fallen
------------------------------------Dr. Satyawan Saurabh

The media acts as a guardian of the public interest in a democracy. It plays an important role in a democracy and works to inform the people about events of national and international importance. The media is considered the "fourth pillar" in democracies, along with the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Its importance in influencing readers can be gauged from the fact that the role it played during the freedom struggle was politically educating the millions of Indians who joined the fight against British imperialism.

Journalism is a profession that does service. It also derives the privilege of questioning from others. The basic purpose of journalism is to serve the people with news, ideas, comments, and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate, impartial manner and a polite manner and language. The press is an essential pillar of democracy. It purifies public opinion and shapes it. Parliamentary democracy can flourish only under the watchful eye of the media. The media not only reports but also acts as a bridge between the state and the public.

With the advent of private TV channels, the media has taken the reins of human life and society in every sphere of life. The media today is not satisfied as to the fourth estate, it has assumed the most important importance in society and governance. Playing the role of an informant, the media also takes the form of a motivator and a leader. The media has such an effect that it can make or break an individual, an institution, or an idea. Therefore, it affects the all-pervading and all-powerful society today. With so much power and strength, the media cannot lose sight of its privileges, duties, and obligations.

Today paid news, media trials, non-issues are being presented as real news, while real issues are being sidelined, real and social interest news is being ignored and profits and political side False distortions, fake news, yellow journalism are the main reasons for the rise in paid news cases: Most of the media groups in India are big corporate houses which are in the field for profit and work for a profit. . The low salary of journalists and their desire to become famous early is also one of the reasons behind yellow journalism.

The statistics also reveal the secret that about 40 percent of the total budget of most political parties is spent on media. The excess of money, alcohol, and paid news used in elections is a matter of grave concern today. According to the Press Council of India, news that is being broadcast in print or electronic media in exchange for cash or other benefits is called paid news. But it is an extremely difficult task to prove by opening the knot that the special news shown on a channel or the news published in a newspaper is paid news.

The absence of objective journalism gives rise to a false presentation of truth in a society that affects people's perceptions and ideas. As seen in the Cambridge Analytica case, biased news coverage on social media platforms affected the U.S. election. The pursuit of sensationalism and high TRP rates, as seen in the coverage of the 26/11 terrorist attacks in India, endangered the internal security of the nation. Sensationally driven reporting compromised the identification of rape victims and survivors despite court guidelines.


Paid news and fake news can manipulate public perception and create hatred, violence, and disagreement between different communities within society. Social media, with the advent of technological changes, the reach of media has increased profoundly. Its reach and role in influencing public opinion have made it even more important to ensure its fair, non-partisan call for the enforcement of journalistic ethics.


It is therefore important that for the media to play its important role effectively and efficiently, the media must operate within a well-defined code of conduct while maintaining its independence and editorial freedom. As irresponsible journalism invites restrictions, robbing the media of its freedom, professional conduct, and ethical practices are critical to protecting media freedom and ensuring that public confidence in the media is maintained.

In the changing times, 'ethics' should be promoted in media-related educational institutions. An 'independent investigation team' should be set up to monitor the impartiality of journalism and the transmission of sensitive information. Meetings of sociologists and media persons should be held at regular intervals so that all together can find solutions related to social problems and formulate strategies. The media should be freed from political pressure and adherence to the 'Code of Conduct for Journalism' should be ensured.

At present, journalism divided into camps is taking the society in the wrong direction, the fourth pillar has fallen. Some people are in journalism/literature because they need it for their self-interest. While some people are because journalism and literature need them, then society is left today. Many have been eroding for years instead of writing true and balanced; They must do justice to their primary will. The rest will be seen, the coming generation of journalists will have to move forward by making a balanced decision only then the pillar can stand firmly and equal three others.

While the media is a powerful means of creating awareness among the people, on the other hand, it also brings the government face to face with the problems of the country. As the media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, it is expected to make a positive contribution in the interest of the country. In today's changing times, the role of the media, as well as the way of reporting, has changed. Given the time, the media should play the role of a neutral watchdog instead of singing songs of self-interest.

- Dr. Satyawan Saurabh,