Role of Print Media

Today, in this ultra modern world, the role of media and particularly of print media has been augmenting day by day. It has been serving as a vigilant watchdog of India. Print Media has created an awareness among the people regarding their rights and duties. Print Media has been nicknamed as ‘News Monger’ or the Fourth Estate. We can update ourselves just by going through the morning newspaper, getting each and every kind of news from every nook and comer of the world. It is due to the effect of the Print media that people associated with robberies, thefts, murders, rapes, drugs and alcoholism are working in an apprehension of being caught and recognized. They are now constantly under fear of being caught by the law enforcing agencies.

There has been a worldwide growth of the print media even after the emergence of the electronic media. There has been an increase in the circulation of newspapers around the world even after the emergence of electronic media and the internet. The newspapers do play a very important role in the working of any democracy. Our Constitution too grants us the Right to Freedom of Expression which is manifested, in free press in our country. In a democracy, newspapers are the best way of educating people politically and socially. They play a decisive role not only in updating the public but also in formulating a well-balanced public opinion. The public reads about the current events, interprets them and learns to intelligently participate in the political, social and economic affairs of the country. Print media also works as a bridge between the government and the people. 

They are a powerful vehicle for propaganda. The common man immensely gains from the newspapers so that he can formulate his own opinions, ideas and judgments about the issues that press the current political, economic and social scenario.

Newspapers also reflect public opinion thus formed through letters to the editor which are usually published in a separate column. Moreover, print media provides great incentive to business by large number of advertisements on a variety of things as a house on sale, shops, electronic goods, stationary, cloth stores, glass ware, crockery shops etc. Matrimonial advertisements, job-opportunities, obituaries are all advertised through the print media.

The Print Media, if used unwisely, for satisfying personal greed, and without any thought towards personal responsibility can be extremely harmful for the health of any society. If used so, instead of providing nourishment to the society it can function as a parasite and destroy the essentials of the society. They can break instead of creating, leaving the society hollow and fragile.

People involved in this profession should realize the massive responsibility they shoulder and sacredness of the duty that they perform. They should avoid personal bias and prejudice to cloud their good sense. They should rise above mischievous propaganda and blackmailing in order to serve the society better. Instead, they should try to combat social evils, communal forces and also keep the government on its toes, committed to its promises. It should try to make people politically conscious and keep patriotism and national pride alive in the people.

Print Media should also try to broaden the public view by generating interest and awareness about international events. Thus, we see that despite the rise of electronic media to prominence, it has failed to dislodge print media from its vantage position. Print Media still remains the most common means of creating public awareness and it will continue to be so even in the times to come. Hence, with time we need to be more responsible, discursive and vigilant as readers so as to discourage irresponsible press and create conducive environment for the formation of a responsible and mature Print Media.

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