Media, Fourth Pillar of Democracy

by SHWETA KAMAT
Posted on 2008-11-17
Goa is abundant with newspapers and news channels in English, Konkani and Marathi too, but despite the success of the media’s business model, can the media report issues that matter to a majority of young Goans?
“A majority of the mainstream newspapers in Goa do not represent the interest of the common people. They only serve the business houses. They are interested only in selling stories,” says Aryan Malik, a college goer.
Avantika Kerkar, a law student feels that any decent form of democracy needs the active participation of the people. For that you need the press, which is determined to be resolutely non-partisan. “We need media to serve the public interest,” she adds.
At present the press only serves what people like to watch or read. At the same time it has to provide the people with what is healthy to the individual and the society at large.
“Media is always responsible for creating chaos, fanning fires, distorting news, building up hypes etc,” feels Kevin Fernandes, a student of engineering.
On electronic media, particularly on many of the news channels, you can watch the same news item hour after hour – in minute detail and blown out of proportion.
“Media, electronic or print, can make a great difference by influencing popular movements,” says Ryan Dias, a sales boy.
Contradicting him Kiran Naik, who wants to be a journalist, says that it is not correct to challenge the credibility of all the news channels on the basis of a few. I agree some channels do try to portray things differently, which causes unnecessary disturbances in society.
Giving his views on electronic media, Kamal Shenvi, an artist says that the electronic media is more powerful as eyes perceive it too. It leads us to believe what we see.”
Talking about print media, Sagar Naik, a college goer says, “Print media is much more powerful than electronic and it will never be replaced.”
Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and should be very careful in reporting news and other programmes.
No one can say no to the fact that the media – print and electronic – have done a lot to make life tolerable, to keep hope alive and to sustain the human spirit.
“Thanks to free press – the one institution which nurtured, sustained and strengthened our democracy,” says Pratik Prabhu, a law student.
There is every reason to hope, and believe that our media will play an even more glorious role in fulfilling our potential as a state and in promoting human happiness.