Media Contouring the Societal Functioning: A Study of Indian Democracy

Abstract

A participative and representative democracy like that of India cannot deny media's significant role in strengthening its democratic fabric. However, while media has offered a huge platform for creating awareness, educating and sensitising people, the quality of knowledge disseminated, the kind of awareness created, the way of connecting with the masses as also, the content flashed and the intention behind it are clouded with dubiousness. This paper proposed to conduct a qualitative study into analysing the role and performance of media towards nurturing democratic principles in Indian context through narrative analysis of certain instances picked deliberately for the purpose; and suggested certain measures for enhancing the effectiveness of media in this context. The paper reaffirmed media in the country, contrary to the expected role, to be biased, indulging in blatant fabrication of news, manipulating facts and spreading propaganda, hence fast losing its credibility, integrity and sanctity under the garb of reinforcing democracy.