Responsibilities of The Press | Social Issue Essay, Article, Paragraph for Class 12, Graduation and Competitive Examination.

Responsibilities of The Press

Scheme of the essay

Exposition: The press is more than a medium of information.

Rising Action: It can make or unmake the government.

Climax:

(1) Press helps to correct the undemocratic tendencies.

(2) Without independent press democracy cannot exist.

(3) The press can cultivate a political outlook.

(4) Press in a subtle manner makes people to think or behave in a particular manner.

Falling Action: The press should have a moral code.

Ending: The press should be independent, responsible, and enlightened.

The press is more than a medium of information. The news may be coloured with views and the comments upon the news generally mould our opinions. That is why press plays an important role in a democratic country. It can make or unmake the governments, it can calm down the people or play up their passions, and it can help the party in power to strengthen its position or make the opposition get the upper hand. Press not only leaves its impact on political life but also affects our social and economic life. It can help in 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 organisation. There are many dangers to the democratic setup. 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 by some. The press puts a check upon these types of tendencies. By pinpointing the lapses of the party in power the press can change the opinion of the people and the party becomes unpopular. Similarly, all those who try to undermine the democratic setup without being noticed can be taken to task by the press. That is why it is generally thought that without an independent press democracy cannot exist.

The press can cultivate the political outlook of the people and can help 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. Moreover, it is the public opinion that can decide about the ultimate shape that the political or social setup is to take. Press in a subtle manner makes the people to think and behave in a particular way.

The 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 press is controlled by the big businessmen because it requires huge investment. That is why it is run on a profit and loss basis. So sometimes the press becomes a tool in the hands of the businessmen and they use it for their personal benefit. They try to make the people to think in a different manner and as a result of it a lot of harm is done to the country. In this case also the people will have to be vigilant and the government will have to counteract the propaganda.

In this manner, the role of the press can be constructive or destructive. If it plays a constructive role the political organisation 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 their duties. But it is better if the press is independent, responsible and enlightened.