GAGGED Media; violation of free speech in India under the garb of protecting state interest Dr. Mirza Areena Zainub1,*, Prof. Johri S.M.2 1Asst. Professor, Amity School of Communication, Amity Lucknow Campus 2Professor & Director, Amity School of Mass Communication, Amity Lucknow Campus *Author correspondence: Dr. Areena Mirza, Assistant Professor, Amity School of Communication, Amity University, Lucknow-India Email: azmirza@lko.amity.edu
Online published on 7 October, 2019. Abstract The Constitution of India lists ‘freedom of speech and expression’ among the fundamental rights it guarantees, but it also justifiably allows the government to impose ‘reasonable restrictions’ in the interest of ‘State, public order, decency or morality.’ The power centers miserably failed to understand the concept of free speech which is about freedom from persecution and chastisement in expressing an opinion. Media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy because it has the potential to monitor power and the centers of power. Every now and then, we witness how this fourth pillar of democracy is working hand in glove with power centers in ‘pushing their narratives’. This study examined the current scenario and analyzed the state of affairs on Indian media and assesses whether there is any attempt to gag the media or is it the corporate media that serves as a government mouthpiece and get favors (Advertisements, licenses, money, etc.) in return. The study attempted to identify the scenario by interviewing media professionals through a questionnaire to find out the opinion of the journalists and media students on the issue. Focused group discussions were also carried out with the students of journalism and mass communication to get their views on the topic. Top Keywords Freedom of Expression, Constitutional amendment, Gagged Media, Indian media, Corporate media. Top |