State of the Fourth Estate in the World’s Largest Democracy
– A Blog by Deepika Batra
My fascination with newspapers and the buzz around print media coverage goes way back to my college days in the mid-2000s. I remember poring over every detail of global triumphs and tragedies captured in the esteemed columns of the reliable pages of The Indian Express, one of India’s key English national dailies- for me, it was the hallmark of credible, unbiased, and fearless reporting. Often, racing my classmates to get a coveted spot on the op-ed page with a ‘Letter to the Editor’ used to be my favourite pastime.
More so, journalists like Shekhar Gupta, Rajdeep Sardesai, Prannoy Roy, Barkha Dutt, and Karan Thapar, among others, were my go-to sources for sharp, binge-worthy news and fearless commentary. They shaped not only my worldview but also my love for the unpartisan written word and a deep admiration for the power of independent journalism. Back then, if something was being said on a news channel or published in print, it carried weight.
It carried truth.
Today, on #WorldPressFreedomDay, I reckon with the very fabric of the media we once held sacred and how that definition has transformed through the last decade or more.
- Corporatization: The increasing prioritization of profit and corporate interests has compromised journalistic independence, leading to sensationalism and a decline in critical, public-interest reporting.
- Shift to Capsule Content: In-depth reporting is being replaced by brief, easily digestible content suited for short attention spans on new-age platforms, which prioritize speed over credibility.
- Gatekeeping Issues: Reduced print space, the proliferation of multimedia platforms, and paywalled content have created more barriers to accessing information.
- Political Usurpation: Political and pro-government narratives have increasingly dominated the news, leaving less space for investigative journalism that exposes corruption.
- Rise of Unverified Sources and AI: The surge in non-accredited news sources and AI-generated content has further complicated the media environment and made it harder to discern reliable information.
Looking back at the media landscape I once admired, and observing its current state, I can’t help but feel concerned about the challenges facing the independence and credibility of the Fourth Estate in our evolving democracy.
As communicators and PR professionals our role isn’t about controlling the narrative, but about fostering an environment where truthful and fearless reporting can thrive. By upholding ethical communication, valuing credible journalism, promoting media literacy, and advocating for press freedom, we can contribute to a media landscape that holds power accountable and serves the public interest, bolstering a truly fearless Fourth Estate.