Daily News Analysis

Press Freedom in India

stylish_lining

Press, the fourth pillar of democracy:

  1. India’s rank at the World Press Freedom index (published by Reporters Without Borders) has been continually declining which now stands at 161 out of 180 (In 2014, it was at 140; in 2022, it was at 150).
  2. freedom of the press is considered a part of the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
  3. However, freedom of the media is not an absolute freedom as it is subject to reasonable restrictions as mentioned in Article 19(2) of the constitution.
    1. Such reasonable restrictions include, interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. 
  4. freedom of the press is essential to rationality and intelligent self-governance, that is, democracy as people can receive free flow of information and ideas.
  5. Media has a great responsibility to fight backward ideas such as casteism and communalism, and help people in their struggle against poverty and other social evils. 

Problems faced by the Indian media companies:

  1. Declining interest in news
  2. Lower trust
  3. Falling revenues
  4. Journalists’ security
  5. Undue political influence.
  6. Provisions such as IT rules allows centre to set up a fact-check unit under it, to identify ‘fake, false, or misleading’ information concerning the government and remove it. It has been criticised for overreach and endangering freedom of speech.

Why media needs regulation?

  1. Concerns of propaganda fake news, further increased with the rise of artificial intelligence technology.
  2. Media moving towards sensationalism and yellow journalism (publishing sensational news to attract readers and increase circulation).
  3. Issue of paid news (someone paying a newspaper and getting something favourable to him published)

Regulation of media in India:

  1. Press Council of India (PCI) established under the PCI Act of 1978, acts for preserving the freedom of the press and of maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
  2. Code of Ethics for self-regulation of news channels has been devised by the News Broadcasters Association.
  • The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), of the NBA, is empowered to warn, admonish, censure, express disapproval and fine the broadcaster a sum up to Rs. 1 lakh for violation of the Code.  
  1. The IT act and IT rules regulates digital media such as online news publications, online curated content publishers including OTTs and social media platforms

Observations by the Judiciary:

  1. Being critical of the government cannot be considered ‘anti-establishment’ and refusing security clearance to operate will create a ‘chilling effect’ on press freedom.
  2.  Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India case (2020)
    1. The case dealt with suspension of mobile phone networks, internet services, and landline connectivity in the valley by the govt in J&K.
    2. The court held that freedom of speech and expression includes the right to disseminate information. 
    3. The wider range of circulation of information or its greater impact cannot restrict the content of the right, nor can it justify its denial.
    4. Right to carry on any trade or business under 19(1)(g), using the medium of internet, is constitutionally protected.

Critical Minerals

India’s first auction of deep-sea blocks for the extraction of critical minerals has been delayed indefinitely after receiving a poor response from bidders. This auction was expected to be a
Share It

CAG Report on States’ Fiscal Health

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has released its first decadal analysis on the fiscal health of 28 Indian states, revealing significant concerns over the increasing public debt.
Share It

President's Rule

The extension of President’s Rule in Manipur has brought to the fore the historical and controversial use of Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, shedding light on how its imposition disr
Share It

Beggars' Homes in India

In M.S. Patter v. State of NCT of Delhi, the Supreme Court (SC) held that state-run beggars’ homes are not merely penal institutions or charitable endeavors but are instead constitutional tr
Share It

Public Distribution System (PDS)

India's Public Distribution System (PDS) has long been a cornerstone of food security, ensuring access to subsidised cereals for millions of people. However, a recent Crisil study using the &l
Share It

Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA)

The recent Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) represents a major shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and South Asia, with significant implications for Indi
Share It

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement is facing significant challenges in adapting its controls to the rapid growth of cloud technology. This issue highlights the need to update its control lists and enforcem
Share It

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 highlights a 9.2% increase in crimes against children in India, with 177,335 cases registered in total. This reflects a concerning rise in
Share It

Doctrine of Contributory Negligence

The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently made an important ruling regarding the doctrine of contributory negligence in criminal law. The court clarified that contributory negligence does not apply t
Share It

Perpetual Bonds

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) recently raised ₹453 crore at an interest rate of 7.70% per annum through its second issue of Perpetual Bonds. This move is part of the
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS