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Gaurav Shah
Freedom of Expression & Ethical Parameters: A case study of Delhi gang-
rape case
Keywords/ Media/News Channel/NDTV/Delhi gang-rape/Reporting/Government
INTRODUCTION
The mass exodus of north east people from various parts of the country to
their native land was a result of fabricated and distorted news elements added to
social networking sites like twitter and facebook. This raises many questions
regarding the role of media as to what parameters it should lay down and stick to it in
order to report objectively. Article 19 (1) of the Indian
Constitution guarantees
Freedom of Speech and Expression to the citizens of the country indirectly referring
to the freedom of press also but at the same time subclause (a) of clause (1) imposes
reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause in
the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State,
friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation
to
contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence which clearly seem to
indicate the social responsibility of the media. It clearly indicates that the freedom
ends as the oft quoted states “your freedom ends where my nose begins”.
This places the media in the most awkward and difficult situation whether to
be loyal, honest and just to one’s profession by being factual and impartial or to get
clogged by the restriction of social responsibility. People
totally depend upon the
media for the information. In such a situation what should its role be, should it be
with social responsibility,
make a meek surrender, make the reporting a fairy tale,
giving everything a sugar coating by ignoring such delicate situation and leave the
people who look for information with false reporting for fear of disturbing peace;
loose its credibility or make a factual reporting, however bitter the consequences may
be,
but make the make people aware, who alone can make the government act and
take strict means wherever necessary as in the Delhi gang rape case (16
th
December,
2012).
Secondly and more importantly we may place all restriction on one’s country
media, print or electronic but with the internet and hundreds of channels controlled
and funded by the private and foreign investors, with vested interests will they abide
by these restrictions? And what is of prime importance is media doesn’t
work in
vacuum- does not report if nothing exists. Moreover, the media appears to be the
mouth piece of the public view.
The paper would be focussing on the Delhi gang-rape case and the coverage of
electronic media. Media only report about the situation and not create situation which
they are blamed for. Rather media has been responsible for creating a sense of social
responsibility and a moral obligation among the readers and viewers.
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