The Pulse of Journalism: Shashi Tharoor's Article and Press Freedom Realities in India

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The Pulse of Journalism: Shashi Tharoor's Article and Press Freedom Realities in India from Rajdeep Bavaliya

1. Title: The Pulse of Journalism: Shashi Tharoor's Article and Press Freedom Realities in India

2. Information:

3. Table of Contents:

1. Questions to be Addressed

2. Introduction

3. Shashi Tharoor

4. About the Article

5. What is Freedom of the Press?

6. The Importance of a Free Press in a Democracy

7. Freedom of Speech on Paper vs in Reality

8. State Pressure and Self-censorship

9. Impact of Electronic Media

10. Media Ownership and Bias

11. The Rise of "Fake News" and Misinformation

12. The Role of Media in Combating Misinformation

13. Finding the Truth: Investigative Journalism in India

14. The Risks Faced by Investigative Journalists

15. Possible Solutions and the Role of Civil Society

16. Conclusion

17. References

4. Questions to be Addressed:

1. What is Freedom of the Press?

2. How essential is a free prees for the functioning of a democracy?

3. How does the reality of freedom of speech differ from its theoretical ideals?

4. How has electronic media influenced freedom of speech and press in India?

5. What role can civil society play in safeguarding press freedom and addressing media challenges?

5. Introduction:

A very good morning everyone. Today, in this presentation, we are going to explore the heartbeat of journalism in India and how it aligns with the insights prowided by Shashi Tharoor in his article "Freedom of the Press."

In recent time, there is one debate going on among intellectuals that how much freedom should be given to the media or it should be under control of government. But on the other hand some people argue that evil make media only a puppet in hands of government. For healthy democracy, freedom of the press is very important, it is requirement of the time.

For damocratic nation Media-Press is fourth pillar apart from the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.

6. Shashi Tharoor:

Shashi Tharoor born on March 9, 1956, in London,UK, and raised in India. Tharoor graduated from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, in 1975 and culminated his studies in 1978 with a doctorate in International Relations and Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.

He is a politician and public intellectual who has been serving as Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Since 2009. He is the present chairman of the Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers.

He was formerly an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and unsuccessfully ran for the post of Secretary-General in 2006.

7. Shashi Tharoor:

Founder-and-Chairman of All India Professionals Congress, he formerly served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and on Informational Technology. He has about two dozen titles to his credit and was awarded by World Economic Forum as "Global Leader of Tomorrow."

He is best known for his works...

The Great Indian Novel (1989)
India: From Midnight to the Millennium (1997)
Why I Am a Hindu (2018)
Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India (2017), first published in India as An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India (2016)

Shashi Tharoor’s speech in parliament: Click Here - From 00:00 to 2:57.

8. About the Article:

'Freedom of the Press' is written by one of the most prominent Indian politician and writer of modern India - Shashi Tharoor. This article was published in 'The Hindu' on 4th May, 2003 and it was on 3rd of May, which is known as the World Press Freedom Day.

When he wrote this article on the same day, he reminded that...

"12 journalists have been killed just this year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based independent non-profit organization. All over the world, journalists are jailed, attacked and harassed every day."

- Shashi Tharoor

And this data is only as of May 4, 2003; by the end of 2003, 60 journalists and media workers were killed, and out of them, three were from India, according to the CPJ.

In 2024, 23 journalists and media workers killed. (CPJ)

9. What is Freedom of the Press?

According to Shashi Tharoor...

"Freedom of the press is the mortar that binds together the bricks of freedom - and it is also the open window embedded in those bricks, through which we can all see the world."

- Shashi Tharoor

Meaning that freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exercised freely.

It refers to the principal that individuals and organizations have the right to publish, print or circulate information and opinions without government interference or censorship.

Throughout the world, World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3, serves as an occasion to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists brave death or jail to bring people their daily news.

10. The Importance of a Free Press in Democracy:

May 3, marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media in their continent and throughout the world. The declaration adopted in 1991 at a seminar organised by the United Nations and UNESCO in Windhoek, Namibia, affirms that a free prees is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.

A free press is one of the most essential components of a democratic society. And there is no longer any serious debate about the proposition that democracy is essential for social and economic development.

11. The Importance of a Free Press in Democracy:

1. Accountability and Transparency: A free press acts as a watchdog over government activities and institutions. It plays a critical role in exposing corruption, misuse of power, and wrongdoing by public officials and institutions. This accountability helps ensure transparency and prevents the abuse of authority.

2. Informed Citizenry: A free press provides citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions about their government and society. By reporting on various issues, events, and policies, the press empowers individuals to participate effectively in democratic processes such as elections and public debates.

Example: Dhruv Rathee's video on Dictatorship Confirmed? : Click Here - From 6:50 to 7:21

3. Checks and Balances: The press serves as a check on government power by investigating and reporting on policies and actions. This helps maintain a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch of government becomes too powerful or immune from scrutiny.

4. Promotion of Public Debate and Discourse: A free press fosters public debate and diverse viewpoints by providing a platform for different voices and opinions. This diversity of perspectives enriches democratic discourse and encourages the exchange of ideas.

5. Protection of Human Rights: A free press plays a crucial role in advocating for and defending human rights. Journalists often expose human rights abuses, discrimination, and injustices, shining a spotlight on issues that might otherwise remain hidden or ignored.

Example: Ravish Kumar's video on Farmers' Protest Faces Uphill Battle: Click Here - From 00:00 to 1:34

6. Cultural and Social Development: A vibrant free press contributes to cultural and social development by promoting creativity, innovation, and artistic expression. It also helps preserve cultural heritage and promotes cultural understanding and tolerance.

7. Strengthening Democracy: Ultimately, a free press strengthens democracy by fostering a climate of openness, accountability, and civic engagement. It empowers citizens to actively participate in governance and ensures that democratic principles are upheld.

12. Freedom of Speech on Paper vs. in Reality:

India's Constitution, under Article 19(1)(a), promises citizens the right to freely express themselves and share their ideas. This sounds great, right? In theory, it allows journalists to investigate and report on anything without fear.

But here is the catch: there are other laws that can be used to limit this freedom. One example is section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), also known as the sedition law. This law says that anyone who "excites disaffection" against the government can be arrested.

Example: Dhruv Rathee's video on Dictatorship Confirmed? : Click Here - From 13:50 to 17:21