Importance of Press in Democracy
The word ‘Press? generally refers to newspapers that serve news about national and international issues, cultural and scientific developments and also the topics related to our survival upon earth.
The Daily press is the most important organ of a democratic set up. Democracy without the free movement of the press is a misnomer. None can undermine the importance of press in democracy.
First of all, it offers us a lot of news about the day-to-day happenings of the world. Thus it keeps us always alive to the goings on of the globe. The newspapers publish all these news ? political, social and religious. It must have the right to publish, these without any fear from any external authority.
In countries where democracy prevails, freedom of the press is preserved and thus helps the individual considerably to frame his own judgments about issues. It also makes the Government, aware of the lapses or shortcomings of its aims and achievements.
Freedom of the press refers to freedom of speech and expression which is and always should be fundamental right. Without this right the liberty of man is not complete. A country pledged to democracy must ensure that its citizens enjoy a free and daily press. Press keeps a constant vigil on the liberty of the people. To remove any harsh Government or to tight against dictatorship, anarchy and malpractices, press serves the best. That is why, it may be called in the right proportion that press is the necessary pre-condition to the fulfillment of democratic ideologies.
Press is the voice of the people in democratic set up. Press plays an important role in bringing forward the real picture of the society to the common people. They raise voices against any anti-social practices such as dowry system, sati, child-labour, etc. In this way, malpractices prevailing in the society are checked and stopped.
In the communist countries, press is under Government control. Even in democracies the wrath of the ruling Government against any newspaper may snatch its freedom. At the same time, newspapers should not lace partial and biased news that may instigate the people against the Government. There should be a co-ordination between the Government policies and the people’s vision. Only one thing that should be kept in mind is that newspaper must not be misused. It should be free, fair and unbiased.
