Role of the press

Press is more than a media of information. The news may be coloured with views and the comments upon the news generally would our opinions. That is why press plays an important role in a democratic country. It can made or uptake the governments, it can clam down the people or play up their passions, it can help the party in power to strengthen its position or make the oppositions get the upper hand. Press not only leaves its impact on political life but also affects our social and economic life. It can help the tracing out the criminals; it can give expression to the grievances of the people and it can help the people to attain their ends.

In a democratic society the main task of the people is to watch the democratic character of the political organization. There are many dangers to the democratic set up. The people in power try to encroach upon the rights of the common man; the people may not be able to enjoy their rights because of the interference of some. The press puts a check upon these types of tendencies. By pin pointing the lapses of the party in power the press can change the opinion of the people and the party becomes unpopular.

The press can cultivate political outlook of the people and can help them in consolidating public opinion. Till the people are politically conscious and till the people know their own rights and duties the working of democracy will not be prostituted.

Press can sometimes play a negative role. It may start instigating people against one or the other leader or against the party in power. Under such-circumstances the security of the country may be in danger. In such cases people should not allow the press to have its own way. There should be a moral code for the press to follow.

The role of the press can be constructive or destructive. If it plays a constructive role the political organization will be more in agreement with the interests of the people. It will also stand for justice, mass participation and larger benefits of the people. This is possible if the journalists are conscious of their duties or they are made conscious of duties. But it is better if the press is independent, responsible and enlightened.

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