Essay on the Freedom of the Press Essay

The abridge, as identified with Newspapers, wields immense power in a democratic society. Dickens has c everyed the Press the mighty engine. So abundant is its influence that some fall in called it the Fourth Estate. Napoleon used to govern Your hostile countersignpapers argon more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. For, the mechanical printing press forms opinions, shapes movements and controls policies through well-informed criticism. The intimately potent autocrat is strained to nominate note of public opinion as reflected in a withdraw press. That is why a regimented press is the instrument of autocracy, and a dictator deprives the press of its quitdom. A free press is the symbol of a free people. An independent, well-informed press is a powerful check on positive political sciences and irresponsible administrators. For newspapers are agents of the public, which bring to the notice of the people acts of injustice or oppression, or mal-administration that would otherwise have remained hidden away from public knowledge. They anticipate mis disposal at a distance and sniff the approach of totalism in every tainted breeze (Burke). They exercise a regular vigilance on the rulers, which is salutary for all.Nowadays it is difficult for the press to be free. Either a newspaper is controlled by some financial magnates all told and it has to voice their views or it is the mouthpiece of a party, and it must think as the party might direct or it is under the thumb of the government and in that case its usefulness is reduced and independence compromised. For whoever controls it, necessarily limits its liberty by his own interests, i.e. calls the tune. In the States, the great newspapers are in the bands of powerful financial syndicates in England, they are in the hands of capitalists in Russia they are mostly controlled by the government. hardly freedom of the press in each(prenominal) case depends on the way it reflects the will, the purpose o f the people as a whole, in preference to that of either class or community or individual. The illusory or unrealistic character of the freedom of the press was seen during with child(p) War. It is in such times of crisis that the voice of the people should be most clearly heard and not muffled. Yet it is then that newspapers are in all gagged. Most of these abuses might be checked to the advantage of all concerned, if the newspapers have freedom to criticise authorities and ventilate grievances. Indeed, no government smoke stifle the voice of the people but atits own peril. The problem, therefore, ishow to learn freedom of the newspaper.Legislation, of course, should guarantee the press against interference by the government this goes without positing- But something more is necessary. The press under no circumstances should be forced to disclose the source of information or will be subordinate to the government. But enjoins enjoys a corresponding duty on the part of the Pres sthat it should maintain strictly honest journalism and should not give any garbled report or prejudicial account. Independent-minded editors should have the right to ft free expression of opinions and unhampered publication of news, subject simply to the bound that they do not publish abuse and keep within the jump of decorum. But real freedom of the press can exist only where a free people can function freely as in true democracy. It may be asked, why do we say there is no freedom of the press in England or America or India. The reason is that in these countries, the common people are in economic bondage. Governments are ruled by the power of money and the press is controlled by owners in the interests of Big Business. In is, therefore, rightly claimed that in a Socialist state of matter as the people become economically free, the government acquires an increasingly representative character. The journalists then can write freely and fearlessly. The better(p) way to ensure fre edom of the press is to publish all news from accredited sources, to allow free ventilation of opinion, to do away with all controls except in the interest of public safety or welfare. immunity of the press should be a valued privilege and has to be safeguarded. It is a sacred right, which should be zealously promoted. Governments owe it to themselves to guarantee it from all peremptory interference. Editors owe it to the public to maintain an honest and fearless attitude in favour of the people, against party or class interests. And the people owe it to their country to demand and defend such freedom as a priceless heritage.