Freedom of Press is important for any country to establish itself at its best for the people of that country. The cooperation of state with the press is not only important but necessary to highlight the real issues of the country. Technologically, from Radios and Newspapers to Televisions and Digital Media, we have come a long way. The mediums of delivering news can change but the content should always monitor the state and its activities.
Talking about the Freedom of Press in India, of the 180 countries in the World Press Freedom index, India slipped to 136 from 133. The condition of dissent and journalists is worst in India as they are legally and physically suppressed by the Indian state. The mainstream media in India is mistaken including several newspaper publications that the news should be comforting and in accordance with the government.
Several journalists have been killed who reported or wrote against the interest of the capitalists and the government. According to the statistics collected from past seven years, the act of killing journalists remains.
Year 2012 – 74 journalists died
Year 2013 – 73 journalists died
Year 2014 – 61 journalists died
Year 2015 – 73 journalists died
Year 2016 – 48 journalists died
Year 2017 – 46 journalists died
Year 2018 – 14 journalists dead until now
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India is a country where Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought with the Britishers for the freedom of the press. In the same country today, the different sects of media are fighting each other over ideological difference rather than highlighting the issue. It is said that it is important for the press’ freedom to not have any business interest. However, it is the harsh reality that in India newspapers and news channels are directed by the owners and not the editors and reporters.
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