We have three pillars of government – legislature, executive, & judiciary. They have checks and balances to keep everyone accountable. Media makes accountable all the three organs of the state and hence is called the 4th pillar of democracy. It acts as the guardian of public interest and a bridge between people and state. All the information with respect to the activities of the state, whether it is social, political, economic or cultural, has to be ultimately delivered to the people through media. In India, the freedom of press has been treated as part of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)a of the Constitution but this right is not absolute and is qualified with reasonable restrictions in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the nation, public order, decency & morality.
The media serve the people with news, ideas, information on all matters of public importance in a fair, accurate and impartial manner. This is very foundation of what we call as “objective journalism”. But what we see of late is that the media is not focusing on national important issues but on issues focused only on TRPs.
Sushant Singh Rajput was a talented actor who recently passed away. Initial investigations suggest it was suicide. However, with many accusing murder, the case was transferred to CBI. This case would be investigated and culprits will be punished if it is murder. But what the media is doing is focusing too much on his case, which has completely dwarfed the coverage of multiple grave problems facing the nation. Apart from this, it also raises a couple of concerns:
Media and Due Process
If there are people responsible & found to be guilty, they should be punished after an investigation has been conducted as per the due process of law, but what the media is doing is trying to influence the outcome of a case. It is becoming an investigating agency, court, and declaring and pronouncing whether the person is guilty or not. Some channels claim that they have received much of the information on the case from investigative agencies ranging from the Enforcement Directorate to the CBI. The authorities need to verify if such claims are true. And if they are proved to be false, legal action should be taken against the offending channels. However, if their claims are true, this is a matter of greater concern because it could bring into serious doubt the reputation of India’s premier investigative agencies that may stand accused of making public details of an ongoing investigation and violating service rules.
Privacy & Reputation
In the case of Sushant Singh Rajput, there is another person who is being accused. If it is proved, then the law will take its course but what is happening is that media is accusing her by violating her privacy and reputation. Say if tomorrow it is found that she was not involved, then what about the trauma due to this media trial?
Real Issues Sidelined
Real issues are being sidelined and trivial issues are being projected as real news. The main concern before the nation is the pandemic that shows no sign of abating with cases rising exponentially and putting the public health system under unbearable strain. Real issues are the declining GDP, job losses, and border dispute with China. Instead of focusing on these issues, media is focusing on TRPs. Because of all this, the 4th pillar of democracy is not working in a fruitful manner
Objective journalism which should have been the idea is now being replaced with profit, agenda setting, and media trial. Media should focus on the issues that are relevant to the common masses. The 4th pillar of democracy should have a well defined goal and should work within that boundary, instead of becoming the judge, jury, and investigating officers.
—The writer is an RTI activist & member of Youth Parliament J&K

Sohail Khan