"Whether you like it or not" - political forces work in the media systems
- Papiya Mondal
• India is the largest democracy of the world with a vibrant mediascape and there is a complicated relationship between Indian media and political systems.
•Indian media system after democracy (1947) :1975 Indira Gandhi's(3rd PM of india)declared a state of emergency and suspended civil liberties.Immediately after this declaration, the government tightened its controls on the Indian mass media, especially on the newspapers which had reputations of being free.1977,Morarji Desai(4th pm) again work for press freedom.
•Using Hallin and Mancini(2004) models of media systems on Indian press and political system.Indian political system is characterized by 'clientelism' and "polarized pluralism' thus yielding high 'political parallelism' and 'instrumentalisation' of media at the hands of political and corporate elites. Commercialization of media has ensued weak professionalism among journalists and media organizations. However, Indian media may have a promising future because of early development of democracy and minimum state intervention. Indian media carries the features of all three media models proposed by Hallin and Mancini. Though, analysis reveals that Indian media system is dominantly closer to Liberal model of North Atlantic countries. Comparative media research, Hallin and Mancini's models, Indian media system, Indian political system.
¶¶¶ Daniel C.Halin and Paolo Mancini mentioned 3 types of media systems and political contexts, which are 1)Polarized Pluralist Model 2) Democratic 3) Liberal Model.
•Indian media system carriesfeatures from all three models developed by Hallin and Mancini. Looking at therole of the state, India is not a welfare state but it is in a transition toward liberaldemocracy because of embracing neoliberal economy. Media is also not interferedby state though at some instances governments have tried to overpower directly inthe form of state ownership of media particularly radio and TV channels. Whileindirect ways like funding and subsidies are also somewhat prevalent, but there isno censorship from the state in any form. This weaker role of the state in bothmedia and politics suggest that India is closer to Liberal model. High circulation ofpress and deep penetration of broadcast media along with liberal democratictradition also indicate to Liberal model.Political parties in India share power at federal and state levels to represent different "linguistic, religious, ethnic and castes" groups and therefore India has a consensual party system. Fragmentation of Indian society suggests polarizedpluralism but as this polarization is not purely on ideological grounds so Indiansociety has features of moderate and polarized pluralism both. Media organizationsalign themselves with the goals of different political parties and stakeholders sothere is external pluralism with high political parallelism. These features of Indianmedia and political systems are similar to Democratic Corporatist model.Indian media does carry the features of Polarized Pluralism as it is stillstruggling to develop strong rational-legal authority while favoritism on basis ofpolitical affiliation is also a matter of concern. Media has become instrument ofprojection in the hands of different political and corporate elites and mediaprofessionals also seek favors from them.
•It is true that in India the Press was at once a product and a stimulant of processes of national regeneration which led to its freedom from colonial rule and the journalists functioned more as missionaries and social reformers than mere professionals. However, with the passage of time in free India the Press has slowly but increasingly became an industry and journalism as profession. The press instead of remaining stimulant of social awakening has increasingly become largely a source of news about political events and politician. The acquiescence politics to the extent of being obsessed is the dominant feature of Indian press today.
http://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/1847/Freedom-of-Press---Article-19(1)(a).html
So this is the Indian media system! As a matter of fact, the news media in any country have a duality. They not only promote the free and open society and the exchange of information, but also represent the political and economic development of the country. The two cannot be completely separated, otherwise the journalism will not be sustainable.
ReplyDelete——Bruce（He YiPeng）
Very interesting read! I think it's lovely that the liberal views are coming to every country slowly but surely - we need to always speak the truth, even if it sometimes hurts. That is the way of a journalist, that is the way of media creator.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment daniel. Yes i do agree with you that as
Deletea journalist we always should focus on the fact and the main information whether it's heart us or not. - papiya mondal
An inclusive and diverse nation. India is a major force in advancing global multipolarity. The country's media has an integral role to play. I really like the objectivity and neutrality of the Indian media.
ReplyDelete——Zheng HaoYuan (John)
Yes it's quite interesting and sometime complicated too thanks for your comment - Papiya Mondal
DeleteI don't quite understand, but I understand that Indian media is commercial--------Zhang Jiahui(Lucas)
ReplyDeleteYes it is but sometimes it's dominant by the government as the media houses get financial support from government. -- Papiya Mondal
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