JOURNALISM

INTRODUCTION

The modern era has witnessed a profound transformation in how news and information are
disseminated, shared, and consumed. Digital media's advent has revolutionised journalism's
landscape, significantly impacting society at large. By blending traditional reporting with the
power of technology, journalists now have unprecedented avenues to reach and connect with
their audiences.

At its core, journalism is a vital pillar of democratic societies, acting as a watchdog, holding
power accountable, and informing the public. However, the traditional boundaries of
journalism have expanded, giving rise to new challenges and opportunities, blurring the line
between professional journalism and citizen reporting.

This paradigm shift has implications not only for the media industry but also for society as a
whole.

UNDERSTANDING JOURNALISM: Concept and Definitions

 Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on current events based on

facts and supported with proof or evidence. The word journalism applies to the
occupation, as well as citizen journalists who gather and publish information based on
facts and supported with proof or evidence. Journalistic media include print,
television, radio, Internet, and, in the present even newsreels.
 Concepts of the appropriate role for journalism vary between countries. In some
nations, the news media are controlled by government intervention and are not fully
independent. In others, the news media are independent of the government but instead
operate as private industry motivated by profit. In addition to the varying nature of
how media organizations are run and funded, countries may have differing
implementations of laws handling the freedom of speech and libel cases
  From investigative reporting to storytelling, journalism plays a pivotal role in our
society by uncovering truths, shaping public opinion, and holding those in power
accountable.
 Journalism is the art and practice of gathering, verifying, and presenting news and
information to the public. It involves investigating stories, conducting interviews, and
reporting on relevant and significant societal events.

Some prominent definitions of Journalism are given below:

 "Journalism is the first draft of history. It is the medium through which news, ideas,
and opinions are communicated to the masses. It plays a crucial role in fostering
democracy and facilitating public discourse."- M. Chalapathi Rao
 "Journalism is about telling stories that matter. It is the pursuit of truth, driven by a
commitment to social justice. Journalists are responsible for highlighting the
marginalised, questioning authority, and amplifying diverse perspectives."-P. Sainath
 British media theorist Hugo de Burgh (2000) states that: "An investigative journalist
is a man or woman whose profession is to discover the truth and to identify lapses
from it in whatever media may be available. The act of doing this generally is called
investigative journalism and is distinct from apparently similar work done by police,
lawyers, auditors, and regulatory bodies in that it is not limited as to target, not legally
founded and closely connected to publicity."[

Evolution and Growth

Journalism in India has a rich and extensive history that can be traced back to the colonial
era. The first newspaper, The Bengal Gazette, was established in 1780 by James Augustus
Hickey. However, it faced challenges and was shut down in 1782 due to its outspoken
criticism of the British administration. He was arrested in 1781 for his criticism. India’s
history of Journalism starts with him.

The British introduced independent press or participatory journalism during the colonial
period in India. However, they also imposed restrictions on the Indian media to control the
spread of nationalistic sentiments. One significant measure was the Press Act of 1910, which
allowed the local government to demand a security fee for any content deemed offensive
towards the government. This act resulted in the prosecution of nearly 1,000 newspapers.
Several other newspapers followed such as The Bengal Journal, Calcutta Chronicle, Madras
Courier, and Bombay Herald. All of them, however, were curtailed by censorship measures
imposed by the British East India Company.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a social reformer also came up with his Persian newspaper Mirat- ul-
Akhbar (Mirror of News, 1822-1823, Persian Language). His main emphasis was the social
upliftment of people. He stopped publishing his periodical as a protest to the government’s
regulations. Later, he launched a magazine in English by the name of the Brahmanical
Magazine. It aimed at counteracting the propaganda of Christian Missionaries.

Throughout 1799, 1818 and 1823, the colonial administration enacted several Acts to regulate
the press in the country. The legislative outlier during this period was the Press Act of 1835,
better known as the Metcalfe Act, which introduced a more liberal press policy.

This lasted till the revolt of 1857, after which, a perturbed foreign administration, shaken by
the mutiny, introduced the Licensing Act in 1857. It gave the colonial administration the
powers to stop publication and circulation of any printed material.

In 1867, the administration enacted the Registration Act, which required every book or
newspaper to bear the name of the printer, the publisher and the place of publication.
Additionally, all books were to be submitted to the local government within a month of their
publication.

One of the most stringent regulations on the freedom of the press in India was the Vernacular
Press Act of 1878. Introduced by then Viceroy, Lord Lytton, this act provided the government
with extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular press. It was an attempt
to prevent the vernacular press from criticising British policies.

Four new measures were enacted between 1908 and 1912 — the Newspapers (Incitement to
Offences) Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908, the Press Act of 1910 and the
Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act of 1911.

Indian Newspaper (Incitement to Offenses) Act (1908) was one of the acts which were
rolled out to curtail the progress of the Swadeshi movement.

The Press Act of 1910 particularly hit Indian papers hard. It empowered the local government
to demand a security fee for any ‘offensive content’ against the government. Nearly 1,000
papers were prosecuted under the Act.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha widely used the Press to rally the masses against the
British. This further heightened the tension between the Press and the government. With
Gandhi’s arrest in 1930, the government enacted The Press (Emergency Powers) Act of 1931.
It gave the provincial governments censorship powers.

The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 brought further restrictions. The
government demanded stiffer censorship, in spite of the Press Emergency Act of 1931. It
controlled and filtered international news that was coming in.

Amidst such acts of censorship, the All-India Newspapers Editors’ Conference (1940-1952)
was conceived. It was aimed to be a protector of press rights in the country. It fought with the
British government to lift the restrictions and advocated for better relations with the
government.

Post Independence

Historical, technological, and societal factors have driven the evolution and growth of
journalism in India. The profession has expanded its reach, embracing new mediums and
empowering citizens to engage actively with news and information. Journalism continues to
evolve, adapt, and play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and promoting an informed
society.

After India gained independence in 1947, the press in India entered a new phase. The
constitutional development of press in India ensured that freedom of the press was enshrined
as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. It marked an
important milestone in the growth and development of press in India.

The post-independence period saw the diversification of the press. The emergence of
newspapers in multiple languages catered to the diverse population of India.

The development of language of vernacular press in India continued, with regional

newspapers gaining prominence. The press also played a crucial role in holding the
government accountable, highlighting social issues, and contributing to the democratic
process.

In modern times, the press in India has expanded beyond print to include television, radio,
and digital media.
The digital revolution has transformed the landscape of the Indian press. With online
platforms becoming the primary source of news for many. Despite challenges like fake news
and declining print circulation, the press remains a powerful force in Indian society.

Some important acts:

After independence Press enquiry committee was set up to

examine the press laws in India. The committee recommended the
repeal of the Indian press (emergency powers) act of 1931.
Press Enquiry
The 1931 act provided the power to provincial govts. To supress
Committee (1947)
the Civil Disobedience Movement, it was further amplified to
undermine activities against the authority of the govt.

Press (Objectionable The act aimed to prevent the publication of materials that could
Matters) Act, 1951 incite violence or hatred but was repealed due to criticism.

Press Council Act, The Press Council of India was established to preserve the
1978 freedom of the press and maintain standards of journalistic ethics.

Right to Information The act has empowered journalists to access information from
Act, 2005 public authorities, enhancing transparency and accountability.

The newspapers in India in almost all languages are fully modernized in every area of their
operation ... news reporting, editing, design-layout, production, distribution, advertising, sales
management and editoria1 contents. The standards match the best in the world.

Today, there are over 35,000 newspapers, journals and magazines in India published in 92
languages and dialects.
Changing Forms of Journalism

Journalism in India has witnessed significant transformations in recent years, driven by

evolving technology, changing media consumption patterns, and societal shifts.

Digital Journalism: With the advent of the Internet, digital journalism has gained prominence,
offering new ways to gather, produce, and consume news. Online news portals, blogs, and
social media platforms have become popular sources of information.

Data Journalism: Data journalism involves analysing and visualising complex data sets to
uncover meaningful stories. It enhances transparency, facilitates in-depth reporting, and
empowers audiences with data-driven insights.

Example: Mongabay-India published a series of articles that used data to show the impact of
climate change on India.

Citizen Journalism: Citizen journalism enables ordinary individuals to participate in news

production. With the proliferation of smartphones and social media, people can capture and
share news events in real-time.

Multimedia Journalism: Multimedia journalism combines various formats, such as text,

images, audio, and video, to present news stories in a more engaging and immersive manner.
It caters to diverse audience preferences.

Investigative Journalism: Investigative journalism is vital in exposing corruption, injustice,

and societal issues. It involves in-depth research, interviews, and critical analysis to uncover
hidden truths and hold power accountable.

Emerging Challenges

Journalism in India faces emerging challenges that significantly hinder its practice and
integrity.

Fake News and Misinformation: The proliferation of digital platforms has given rise to the
rapid spread of fake news and misinformation. False narratives, manipulated images, and
misleading information can quickly circulate, undermining the credibility of journalism.

Commercial Pressures and Sensationalism: Media commercialisation has led to pressures for
higher ratings and increased revenue, often resulting in sensationalised news coverage.
Shrinking Space for Investigative Journalism: The shrinking financial resources and limited
support for investigative journalism restrict the ability to pursue in-depth reporting.

Social media and Echo Chambers: The echo chamber effect on social media platforms
contributes to the polarisation of public discourse. Users tend to follow like-minded
individuals and consume content aligning with their beliefs, reinforcing biases and narrowing
perspectives