Importance of Newspaper
OR
POWER OF PRESS IN DEMOCRACY
“I am not afraid of hundreds of battalions of an army but I am afraid of a single newspaper.”
—Hitler
A newspaper has a powerful influence in the modern world. Today newspapers are published in a number of languages like Hindi, English, Urdu, etc. The most important function of a newspaper is to bring us the news of the world. They inform us about our country and every important happening in the world. Without them, we would be like a frog in a well.
In a democratic country like India press or newspapers are an important means of forming public opinion. They comment on current events and criticize or appreciate the policy of the government. It is through them that the publie•comes to know about the problems of the country and the possible ways for solving them. Thus, they educate the public mind and enable them to have their own opinion on matters of public importance. In a democracy, they can play a vital role to keep down fissiparous tendencies and create national integration.
“Newspapers are like watchdogs on governments.”
Besides this newspapers arc also important media of communication between the government and the people. Govt. publishes its plans, programs, policies, and achievements in newspapers for public reaction and opinion. The people also use the newspaper to praise the government’s policies or express-dissatisfaction over them. The newspapers voice the grievances of the people. They serve as a check on the government. They are essential for the proper functioning of democracy.
Newspapers also serve as an important means of advertisement. “They help trade and commerce by advertising their products or other benefiting schemes for the public. The Government and companies use newspapers to let people know about their vacancies for different posts. The newspapers also help a lot of marriageable youths through their matrimonial columns to find out desirable partners. In addition to all these, the newspaper industry also has a vast scope of employing people in different capacities. In short, they play a very important role in our social life.
But the newspapers have some drawbacks too. They serve as a means of propaganda for the various political parties. Often sectarian and ambiguous views and comments are expressed through them. The newspapers create communal disharmony by voicing biased opinions of religious leaders with a vested interest. Often they create agitations in the public mind by publishing cheap and misleading advertisements.
But these disadvantages are nothing in comparison to their manifold advantages. They are really a great use for the people. So they should be encouraged by the Govt. also. The Govt’s recent proposal to introduce Prasar Bharati Bill is very much welcome. For a democracy, the newspaper undoubtedly has a vital role to play.
“The press is the people’s university.”
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