The media has been under several attacks lately. From people labelling it as propaganda media to calling it fake and sold out, the fourth pillar of democracy is losing its credibility in the eyes of people. While there are several assumptions about its functioning, only the people working in the media industry know the reality. It is easy to watch and complain, but it is hard to analyse and interpret correctly from a distance.
The media is the channel which links people to the world. Widely called the fourth pillar of democracy, it is the source of all information. The media only provides the information, and it is up to the people on how they take it or use it. In the context of the content shown or the facts and opinions provided through the media, let us remember that the information the media derives is from us, the society. Technology and development have helped it expand its range, and today, the media covers every corner of the world, naturally expanding the type and nature of the content being telecast. The media is just being the mirror of the society.
There have been various instances where people have used the media for popularity and exploited it to fulfill their intentions. Moreover, the news reported as ‘rumours’ by the media are often found to be true in later stages. The media was never a tool until we made it. It is the reflection of the social environment around us, and it shall always be. We, as citizens, should know whom to trust and label as credible. It’s high time we cleared the misconceptions and looked at what lies beyond them. So, the next time you see something negative in the news or if there is news doing the rounds in the media that disturb you or seems inappropriate, look at yourself and the society; perhaps we are the ones to be blamed.