how biased media is a real threat to indian democracy. ?

 

in India, media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy after legislature, executive and judiciary.

   and the role of media in India is very crucial owing to its diversity where the people of different caste and creeds live harmoniously. the diversity of India also exerts pressure on media and rests the responsibility to maintain this harmony and peace. because if the media is lopsided in favor of one religion then it may create resentment in the other religion so, the media how to maintain a balance between the different sections of the society.

    the democracy and the media are closely linked to each other because democracy allows the media to express their views and opinion on the different policies of government where democracy do not prevail. the media is restricted from reporting the policies of government democracy also allows the media houses to critically examine the policies of the government and show their resentment to the policies.

  so it can be said that democracy and media are closely linked to each other. 

  the media also conveys the awareness of the policies, schemes, and regular affairs of government to the people of India. 

    but if the bias reporting of media prevail in any democracy, it deteriorates the political system of that country, in India itself, some media houses often show their biased behavior towards particular religion or caste, under the influence of various ideologies like communism, Islamism. 

   so this biasness of media houses gradually eroding the fundamental principle of democracy.

  as this biasness of media spread hatred between the different communities and religions and which eventually led to procession strikes, anarchy, and some other various problems, like the fundamental rights of the people. 

    so it could be said that that biased media is a real threat to democracy, but apart from the ideology, several other factors compel the media houses to pursue biased behavior,

• to raise their popularity.
• due to the involvement of high profile person.
• under the threat evoked by gout.
• involvement of media houses states holder in a particular case ex- Arnav Goswami case 
• under the pressure exerted by the government. 

 also if some media houses did not follow the guidelines of the government (which party is in power) then the government can censor(hidden things) those media houses and which can cause a huge loss to the stakeholder involved. 

   according to the world freedom index report 2021 which was published by reporters without borders in India rank is 142 out of 180 countries. 

    the reporters also prove that there are some or many restrictions on media houses that curb them from unbiased reporting.

    even it shows that there are some instances where the media and media person tried to unbias reporting contrary to the government guidelines were arrested and detained in prison, even there is some instance where the journalist and media person were arrested under IPC 124A, NSA Act 1980, UAPA 1967. 

    so these kinds of laws were used to create the deterrence in media houses. 

  now it can be said that media could play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant democracy if it is allowed to perform its function without the intervention of the government. 

   now we are moving to how the biased media adversely affect democracy. 

1. the distorted representation of facts and figures can cause a public uproar. 
2. media houses also display the tainted political leader as an epitome, innocent, and fair enough to stand an election that can manipulate the voters.
3. media houses often display the reporting of the high-profile case, while neglecting the ordinary case to attract the TRP. 
4. they also manipulate the news or information to make it more controversial or spices by which the ordinary people do not get the quality and exact information.
5. media houses also present distorted opinion polls which could manipulate the voters.    

    but if the media house is allowed to function with freedom and lift the self-restriction which has been imposed by the government indirectly. then undoubtedly it is possible that the democracy of India would be called as mother of democracy as it is being said by the honorable PM in recent UNSC. 

 FINAL WORD -

                      yes, the biased nature of media would inevitably be a threat to democracy but if the government revokes its restriction or unknown censorship from media houses then they could function efficiently and effectively.