Indian Media’s Role During Pandemic

In News

• Recently, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister applauded the Indian media for its role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points

• At the 17th Asia Media Summit, via video conferencing, the I&B Minister said that Indian media ensured that COVID awareness messages, important government guidelines and free consultations with doctors reached everyone in the country.
• Theme: The theme of the Asia Media Summit this year is ‘Future Forward, Reimagining Media’
• Doordarshan and All India Radio significantly delivered on their mandate of public service was proved by their role in setting the trend through prompt coverage, ground reports and organising programmes on public health.
• Fake news: Unverified claims and fake content circulating in the media had created an atmosphere of extreme fear amongst the people. Although, the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit strongly fought against the menace of fake news and misinformation on a real time basis.

Importance of Media

• Awareness: During COVID, the Indian media played a very important role in educating the people about the benefit of being vaccinated against coronavirus. 
  • One of the foremost challenges was vaccine hesitancy. That was broken by the media through right messages and education. 
• Imparting Education: The young generation is becoming more aware of the sacrifices that our freedom fighters made for Independence.
• Tool of empowerment: knowledge empowers people to take best decisions.
• Accessibility and Internet growth: The growth of the Internet through affordable mobile devices has re-ignited the industry. 5G technology would further enhance user experience, with increase in the speed of delivery and improvement in the quality of media content.
• Preservation connects generation: It is the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to prioritise preservation and promotion of India’s rich cultural heritage. 
  • To fulfill that vision the Government has announced the World’s largest film restoration project under the National Film Heritage Mission. 
  • As part of this drive, more than 2200 movies across languages and genres will be restored to their former glory
  • The new generations should know, acknowledge and imbibe the values that our forefathers cherished.
• Soft Power: Indian cinema ruled the hearts of millions across the world and had created an identity for India. This was evident in the way India’s films got tremendous applause from film lovers in the festival. 
  • Churning out 3000 releases, India produces the highest number of films every year. 

Challenges

• Authenticity of content would always remain at the core, whatever be the technological progress. And with rising fake news it is becoming tougher to discriminate fake news from real ones.
• There are cases seen which lack accountability to the public and their ethical and professional standards are questionable. 
• Media independence is under the radar of questions as it is influenced by the ruling Governments, most of the time. 
• The financial viability of media houses makes them more prone to seeking favours from Governments. 
• Section 124a of IPC under which sedition is punishable by life imprisonment endangers the freedom of journalists. This leads to fear among journalists to work freely.

Way Ahead

• A very positive role is played by the media in the world.
• It has immense ability to shape the right public perceptions and perspectives as an effective tool of empowerment.
• Media independence can be guaranteed if media organisations are financially viable, free from intervention of media owners and the state, and operate in a competitive environment. 
• Efforts to help the media should be directed toward: the protection of press rights, enhancing media accountability, building media capacity and democratising media access.

Source: TH