Amit Shah, the Minister of Home Affairs, recently took to his Twitter handle to congratulate media personnel for successfully serving the fourth pillar of democracy. We explore what the Minister of Home Affairs feels about the media in the country, along with understanding India’s current ranking in the World Press Freedom Index. Furthermore, we will try to understand if journalism in India is credible and the way forward in this four-part series.-Amit Shah Praises Media on World Press Freedom Day part 2
The press is the fourth pillar of democracy and the voice of the common people. However, when the press turns a blind eye to people, things can take a dangerous turn.-Amit Shah Praises Media on World Press Freedom Day part 2
Taking to his Twitter handle, Amit Shah wrote the following:
“On World Press Freedom Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the upright and dedicated media personnel who have played a crucial role to help our democracy thrive. I also appreciate their service in protecting and upholding the values of journalism.”
May the 3rd is celebrated as World Press Freedom Day and honors the freedom of the press along with reminding governments to be vigilant about not interfering with the freedom of expression.
An article on Republic World mentions the following:
“The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to honor the freedom of the press and to remind governments to abide by the rights to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. May 3 also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991. World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom and remembers journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.”
While the country and the media personnel across the country were celebrating World Press Freedom day, India’s ranking slipped to 161 out of 180 countries. Pakistan, on the hand, climbed up seven places to reach the 150th spot this year.
In a joint statement released by the Press Club of India, the Indian Women’s Press Corps, and the Press Association mentioned:
“The indices of press freedom have worsened in several countries, including India, according to the latest RSF report.”
“For developing democracies in the Global South where deep pockets of inequities exist, the media’s role cannot be understated. Likewise the constraints on press freedom due to hostile working conditions like contractorisation have to also be challenged. Insecure working conditions can never contribute to a free press,” it added.
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Is the news media in India biased?
- What is World Press Freedom Day?
- What is credible journalism?
- What is the way forward for media houses in India?
- How can the news media be more transparent?
