Changing Face of Indian Press Essay

A study of Indian history from 16th to 20th centuries will indicate that the transition from feudalism to modern society has been slow and incomplete despite the occasional turbulence, turmoil, wars, social reforms, and intellectual ferment. It was during the mid-19th century (First War of Independence) and the 20th century freedom movement that the Indian newspapers played a powerful and prominent role in questioning the forces of authority, social prejudices and the suppression of personal liberty. During the late 19th and early 20th century, attempts to propagate the ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity, and freedom were made by political and social leaders. The journals started by them played a historical role in questioning old ideas and practices like casteism, communalism, superstitions, educational backwardness and women’s oppression. Modern rational and scientific ideas, secularism, tolerance, and economic empowerment of the people were propagated in the writings of national leaders. The newspapers, particularly, served in conscientizing literate and educated people about the need for social reforms and political independence. Until 1950, the newspapers no doubt, served in inspiring people of the country towards a change in their thinking about social transformation, economic empowerment and the establishment of a strong foundation for democracy. But in recent decades, a decline in the functioning of the press/media has set in. This paper attempts to present a glimpse of events through which the all types of media have passed. Reference is also made to the recent technological changes in our media world and the serious ethical questions they have raised about media’s performance. Introduction Authentic and available sources describe the birth of Indian journalism in 1780 with Hicky’s Gazette (James August Hicky) which was largely aimed at criticizing the officials of the British government’s East India Company. (Malhotra: 2008). The history of Indian journalism is about 231 years of struggle for existence, propagation of free speech and ideas of people, and evolving democratic values of the nation. Media practitioners and historians view the growth of Indian journalism in a number of ways. Some feel the history of pre-independence journalism was based on the people’s struggle for freedom and socio-political development in the country. Others feel that the journalism of those days was not value-based with any ideology and that more than political freedom or nation building or informing and educating people, the press was aimed to perpetuate the British system of political rule and governance. From the period of British India to the present free, liberalized and globalised India on the path of privatization, print and electronic journalism has passed through many phases of ups and downs, which have not yet ended. The most prominent change is that journalism once regarded as a mission has now changed into a business or trade, a vocation like any other where commercialization has crept in. Journalists are no longer fighters for the rights of people; they are just mercenary writers, most of them canvassers for their employers. The stature of the ‘fourth estate’ (press/media) is now transformed into a trade with its own hierarchies and remuneration-based value systems; social commitment of the past is no longer an asset for a journalist or media professional. In the current situation, the press or the media in general are operated by businessmen for business goals, occasionally pleading for justice for the poor, but most of them ignoring the immense problems faced by the majority of the population. Are the media already on the path to become huge conglomerates all repeating the same types of news and creating a false reality? Does the motive of making huge profits through advertising, ‘paid news’ and ‘private treaties’ dominating the media world today? Have we, as a nation, lost our social concern and ethical values? Why is there so much talk about corruption among the people in private conversation but not in the columns of the newspapers or in the broadcast and telecast media? Have the media become business establishments with commercial dealings with both the government and private houses, not necessarily confined to this country, but ready to do business with similar institutions in any part of the globe? Is it the result of globalization? Do the media have special responsibilities to their own nation? How do the media behave in chain ownership, cross-media ownership, or any other type of ownership? What will be the result of that behaviour on the contents of the media products? Are the newspapers, radio, television, etc. to be treated as products generating huge profits for the investors who have an axe to grind? Are they justified in following practices particularly suitable to amass wealth in the hands of entrepreneurs who consider the media as a tool for enhancing their private and personal fiefdom and profit motives, rather than utilizing the columns and the visuals for helping government and non-government agencies in solving the burning problems facing the nation—economic backwardness of the majority, poverty, illiteracy and ill-health of almost 80 per cent of our 120 crores of people, illiteracy of almost half of our population, atrocities against the poor, socially weak and marginalized people, especially in the rural areas and discriminations and violations of human rights, including gender injustices? Rapid developments in technology in the last two decades have gradually transformed the media scenario and the image of journalism and journalists. The old days are gone for good—when journalists used pencils, notebooks and shorthand! But the scribes of old had plenty of concern for the poor. Quite often, today’s media people are using the electronic equipment in news gathering, recording, transmission and compilation of information—and that is a commendable and worthy practice. But there are ethical questions about the use of hidden cameras and pocket tape-recorders and surreptitious recording of events and personalities in such a manner that they are presented in a manner predesigned by the media worker in order to trap the interviewee or present the event to enhance the monetary gains of the unconscionable reporters, editors, publishers or proprietors. The Changing Scenario  Development in technology combined with growth in the number of newspaper readers resulting from the rising trend in literacy have led to the unprecedented growth in the number of newspapers and magazines and in their circulations. During 2011, seven out of the top ten English newspapers registered a growth in readership; five out of the top ten Hindi newspapers have shown a steady increase during the same period. Both Dainik Jagran and Dainik Bhaskar continue to lead the Hindi dailies with an all India readership of 164. 58 lakhs and 148. 79 lakhs, respectively (RNI 2011). Even daily circulation of some other Indian language newspapers is enviable when compared to newspaper growth globally. While circulation and readership increased, print advertisement has not lagged behind. Earlier, the English newspapers had almost 85 per cent of the advertisement revenue. Today, the figures have changed; the Indian language newspapers have started approaching towards an equal share of advertisement revenue with their English counterparts. Readers are now having options of wide variety to choose publications of their choice because of information available in the Internet. All the technological developments are not fully understood and there are still misconceptions among advertisers. (Singhvi: 2006) Advertisers in India are still looking at quantity rather than quality readership. Newspaper producers have taken the line that they can virtually give their ‘product’ free of charge or at nominal price, a small fraction of the actual cost. But once you have the big numbers, lots of advertising will come to you because the advertisers naturally gravitate towards big numbers. But is serving the advertisers the main goal of journalism? In a world of increasing globalization, the media have great potential. They can reach important information to their users, even in remote corners of the globe where it was really difficult to reach in the past. One of the most creditable achievements of the Indian press during the 1980s and 1990s was the spectacular growth in the regional press. Many factors contributed to this growth, the most important of which was the political alliance among regional parties in the formation of governments at the central and state levels. The trends set-up by Eenadu in Andhra Pradesh, Malayala Monorama in Kerala were highly remarkable. Among other factors the rise of literacy, better transportation, aggressive marketing strategies and increasing awareness among the masses about participation in political process contributed a lot in the changing scenario of print media in the country. The creation of the Panchyati Raj system at grassroots level has propagated the views of common people in creation of more stabilized democratic governance through free flow of information in regional and local press. Now over two-thirds of the regional press readers belong to small towns and rural areas. The innovation and changes in technology are re-defining the survival, growth and development of the Indian print media. Present day newspaper readers are not satisfied with the traditional way of news presentation, editorial inputs but something extra insight into what others have not reported. Pandey says that when she took over the editorship of the Delhi edition of Hindustan (a Hindi daily) it had a circulation of some 64,000 copies but just after two years the circulation grew to 4,25,000 copies. The reason for this increase was that ‘even earlier the paper had readers, but we could not reach them,’ says Pandey. ‘It is the same paper, the same printing press and the same staff even today. All that we have done is to pay more attention to the way in which news is coming in and the way in which it is collected. We take the opinion of the people and have discussions with them. ’ (Pandey: 2006) While technology increased the economic prosperity of the Indian press, there has been a perceptible and pernicious decline in standards. Sensationalism, trivialization and titillation are becoming the order of the day. Investigative journalism as sting operation has opened a new chapter which made the press to acquire a more powerful position and helped it to enhance the image of the press as a watchdog of the society. Unfortunately, investigative journalism has often been misused to settle personal scores or to tarnish the image or blackmail individuals. This aspect of the modern highly technologized press deserves a careful scrutiny for taking appropriate remedial measures. Conclusion The time has come to examine and evaluate the ethical aspects of our current media performance and personnel. How to challenge and shape the print media in the growing technologically competitive and globalized environment giving the utmost importance to the values of Indian society, tradition, culture and human rights and economic development issues. The press in India has always been at the forefront of national progress. The media institutions and professionals/journalists must be very sensitive to the country’s multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and socio-religious and plural status. They should always do such act in such a way that shapes and maintains equilibrium and tranquillity in society. Editors and owners of the media industry must pay attention to proper self-regulation that would ensure accountability, and lessen its dependence on advertising and marketing strategies, and the increasing commoditization of news. Newspaper owners and broadcast media managers must recognize that news is not a product. They must ensure that increase in readership or viewership is not attained at the cost of credibility. The undesirable and unethical practice of ‘paid news’ and ‘private treaties’ must end unconditionally. Journalists must have the right to express what they believe to be true, just and fair; this is not a right that should be compromised by profit-motives or commercial interests of an individual or organization. For this to happen, media workers have to assert their own economic independence, affinity for truth and above all their self-esteem

Danger And Opportunity Essay

Albert Einstein said that unless we change our â€Å"modes of thinking† about political issues, we are headed toward â€Å"unparalleled catastrophe.† Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  I would have to say that such truer words have never been spoken before. If we as a global community continue to think in the same mindsets that we have in the past, then we will never be able to work together to accomplish goals such as eradication of diseases, homelessness, and other social problems. Not only will social problems continue to be rampant, but attitudes such as hatred and fear will continue to prevail, thus causing barriers to be raised and prevent joint cooperation and negotiations in order to solve social, economic, and political problems. According to Hauss, we as a global community, tend to view the political process in win-lose or zero-sum terms. It is because of this way of thinking that leads us to resort to violence as a way to solve disputes rather than talking them out in civil discourse. According to Einstein, we are drifting towards the unparalleled catastrophe of nuclear war. (Hauss, 2012) We continue to break ourselves down into groups normally based along nationality, religion, social status, and other categories instead of just being human. As we break ourselves up into these groupings, we tend to take upon ourselves a different identity instead of one common identity. With these different identities are different values and beliefs, which may not mesh with another group’s identity. This can and normally does lead to differences of opinions between groups, making it difficult, if not nearly impossible to find a common denominator. A good example would be the civil war that occurred after the death of then Yugoslavian president Marshal Josip Tito. Upon Tito’s death in May of 1980, Yugoslavia was thrown into chaos as the different ethnic groups wanted their share of the proverbial pie. This led to the civil war between the Serbian, Croatians, and the Bosnians which began with the Croatians and Slovenians declaring their independence in 1991, followed shortly by Macedonia. The civil war in the FRY (Former Republic of Yugoslavia) lasted until the Dayton Peace Accords were signed in November of 1995 by the leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. It is  because of differences in the way groups think, that if left unchanged, will lead to what Einstein describes because of the barriers we put up, making the ability for all groups to work together as one cohesive unit extremely difficult. REFERENCES Hauss, Charles, (2012) Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges: Eighth Edition.

Reading Comprehension for Beginners - My Office

Reading Comprehension for Beginners - My Office Read the paragraph which describes my office. Pay special attention to the use of prepositions in the reading selection. Youll find useful vocabulary and quizzes below to test your understanding.   My Office Like most offices, my office is a place where I can concentrate on my work and feel comfortable at the same time. Of course, I have all the necessary equipment on my desk. I have the telephone next to the fax machine on the right side of my desk. My computer is in the center of my desk with the monitor directly in front of me. I have a comfortable office chair to sit on and some pictures of my family between the computer and the telephone. In order to help me read, I also have a lamp near my computer which I use in the evening if I work late. There is plenty of paper in one of the cabinet drawers. There are also staples and a stapler, paper clips, highlighters, pens and erasers in the other drawer. I like to use highlighters to remember important information. In the room, there is a comfortable armchair and a sofa to sit on. I also have a low table in front of the sofa on which there are some industry magazines. Useful Vocabulary armchair - a comfortable, padded chair that has arms on which to rest your armscabinet - a piece of furniture that holds objectsdesk - a piece of furniture on which you write or use your computer, fax, etc.drawer - a space which opens for you to store things inequipment - items used to complete tasksfurniture - a word referring to all the places to sit, work, store things, etc.highlighter - a bright pen with a thick tip which is usually green or bright yellowlaptop - a computer you can carry with youpaperclip - a metal clip that holds pieces of paper togetherstapler - a piece of equipment used to staple papers together Multiple-Choice Comprehension Check Questions Choose the correct answer based on the reading.   1. What do I need to do in my office?   A) relax B) concentrate C) study D) read magazines 2. Which piece of equipment do I NOT have on my desk?   A) fax B) computer C) lamp D) photocopier 3. Where are the pictures of my family located?   A) on the wall B) next to the lamp C) between the computer and the telephone D) near the fax 4. I use the lamp to read:   A) all day B) never C) in the morning D) in the evening 5. Where do I keep the paperclips?   A) on the desk B) next to the lamp C) in a cabinet drawer D) next to the telephone 6. What do I keep on the table in front of the sofa?   A) company reports B) fashion magazines C) books D) industry magazines True or False Decide if the statements are true or false based on the reading.   I work late every night.  I use highlighters to help me remember important information.  I keep reading materials that are not related to my job in the office.  I dont need a lamp to help me read.It is important to me to feel comfortable at work. Using Prepositions Fill each gap with a preposition used in the reading. I have the telephone _____ the fax machine on the right side of my desk.The monitor is directly _____ me.I sit _____ my comfortable office chair.I also have a lamp _____ my computer.I put the stapler, pens, and erasers ______ the drawer.I have a table _____ the sofa.  There are lots of magazines _____ the table. Answers Multiple-Choice B - concentrateD - photocopierC - between the computer and the telephoneD - in the eveningC - in a cabinet drawerD - industry magazines Answers True or False   FalseTrueFalseFalseTrue Answers Using Prepositions next toin front ofonnearinin front ofon Continue reading with these appropriate reading comprehension selections.

Turgeneu essays

Turgeneu essays Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov is the most flexible character in Ivan Turgenevs Fathers and Sons. Turgenev used the novel to point out that the values inherent in the Romantic era and the new harsher revolutionary beliefs were not mutually exclusive concerning Russian society. Although Nikolai is a member of the gentry, his liberal viewpoint leads him to roll with the changes that society was demanding. But in spite of his ability to adapt to those changes, his beliefs are steeped in the Romanticism that forms the cornerstone of his education and value system. However, that Romantic upbringing does not blind Nikolai when it comes to connecting with his son Arkady. Unlike Nikolai and Arkady, the gulf between the beliefs and values of the nihilist revolutionary Yevgeny Vassiliavich Bazarov and Nikolais Brother Pavel are irreconcilable. Nikolai and Arkady are able to communicate and understand each other because they are not total opposites. That communication and understanding was based o n the combination of the respect for nature, inherent in Romanticism, and the cold practicalities of the Positivism, so ardently posed by Bazarov. Initially, it does not appear that Arkady and Nikolai have the stronger link in spite of Nikolais relatively liberal leanings. When Nikolai tries to convince him to retain the values of his Romantic upbringing as they are walking along the ridge, he loses any hope of convincing Arkady. This occurs when his son discovers that Nikolai rented out the forested area along it where he played as child, with the knowledge it would be chopped down. Thus, hypocrisy dooms the effort for now. (Turgenev) Additionally, Arkady applies much of the nihilist leanings to getting his fathers estate better run. In doing so he brings a businesslike attitude that was always lacking with Nikolais loose control of the financial aspects of the estate. This shows one of the unbreakable bonds between him...

Johann Friedrich Struensee Biography

Johann Friedrich Struensee Biography Though he was an important figure in Danish history, German physician Johann Friedrich Struensee is not particularly well known in Germany. The period he lived in, the late 18th century, is known as the Age of Enlightenment. New schools of thought were introduced and revolutionary ideas made their way to courts, Kings,  and Queens. Some of the policies of European rulers were heavily coined by the likes of Voltaire, Hume, Rousseau or Kant. Born and schooled in Halle, Struensee soon moved close to Hamburg. He studied medicine and, just like his grandfather, he was to become personal physician to the Danish King, Christian VII. His father Adam was a high-ranking cleric, thus Struensee came from a very religious home. After he had already finished his university career at the age of twenty, he chose to become a doctor for the poor in Altona (today a quarter of Hamburg, Altona used to be a Danish city from 1664-1863). Some of his contemporaries criticized him for using new methods in medicine and his rather modern worldviews, as Struensee was a strong supporter of many enlightened philosophers and thinkers. As Struensee had already been in contact with the royal Danish court, he was picked as the personal physician for King Christian VII while the latter traveled through Europe. Throughout their journey, the two men became close friends. The King, in a long line of Danish Kings with severe mental issues, known for his wild antics without regard to his young wife, Queen Caroline Mathilde, sister of the English King George III. The country was more or less ruled by a council of aristocrats, which made the King sign every new law or regulation. When the travel party returned to Copenhagen in 1769, Johann Friedrich Struensee joined them and was appointed the permanent personal physician to the King, who’s escapades got the best of him once more.  Ã‚   Just as in any good movie, Struensee got to know the Queen Caroline Mathilde and they fell in love. As he saved the crown prince’s life, the German doctor and the royal family became very close. Struensee managed to rekindle the King’s interest in politics and started influencing him with his enlightened views. Right from the start of his involvement with the King’s affairs, many members of the royal council looked upon Johann Friedrich with suspicion. Nonetheless, he became more and more influential and quite soon the Christian appointed him to the royal council. As the King’s mind drifted away more and more, Struensee’s power increased. Soon he presented Christian with numerous laws and legislation that changed the face of Denmark. The King willingly signed them. While issuing many reforms that were supposed to better the situation of the peasants, amongst other things making Denmark the first country to abolish serfdom, Struensee managed to weaken the royal council’s power. In June 1771, Christian named Johann Friedrich Struensee Secret Cabinet Minister and gave him the general power of attorney, de facto making him the absolute ruler of the Danish Kingdom. But whereas he developed an incredible efficiency in issuing new legislation and enjoyed a harmonious love life with the Queen, dark clouds started to tower on the horizon. His conservative opposition to the basically powerless royal council turned to intrigue. They used the rather new technology of printing to discredit Struensee and Caroline Mathilde. They spread flyers all over Copenhagen, stirring up the people against the opaque German physician and the English Queen. Struensee didn’t really pay attention to these tactics, he was far too busy, radically changing the cou ntry. In fact, the rate at which he issued new laws was so high he even opposed those powers at the court that weren’t actually opposed to many of the changes he made. Though, to them, the changes came too fast and went too far. In the end, Struensee became so involved with his work, that he didn’t see his downfall coming. In a cloak-and-dagger operation, the opposition made the now almost moronic King sign an arrest warrant for Struensee, marking him a traitor for consorting with the Queen – a crime punishable by death – and further charges. In April 1772, Johann Friedrich Struensee was executed, while Caroline Mathilde was divorced from Christian and eventually banned from Denmark. After his death, most of the changes Struensee had made to Danish legislation were undone.​ The dramatic story of the German doctor who ruled Denmark and – for a short while – made it one of the most advanced countries at the time, who fell in love with the Queen and ended up being executed, has been the topic of many books and movies, even though not as many as you might think.

The Case of Child pornographer at Cambridge University Essay

The Case of Child pornographer at Cambridge University - Essay Example A trustworthy and recognized institution like the Cambridge University cannot send a wrong message to the international community by such irresponsible actions. Instead, the university should adopt measures which will send a significant message to the wrongdoers in child abuse. I totally agree with Kim Magi’s argument that Cambridge is disrespecting all families that have suffered due to child abuse. It is also important to note that police discovered over 1,500 images of child pornography at his Cambridge University-owned home and the Vice Chancellor seems to suggest that child pornography made at the University-owned home can be overlooked as a silly crime. The total credibility of the institution is brought into question by the Vice Chancellor’s decision and I strongly disagree with this attempt. A profound analysis of the case of child pornographer at Cambridge University confirms that University Vice Chancellor’s decision to allow Dr. Nicholas Hammond to ret urn to his job raises an important question of human morality as well as the credibility of an internationally recognized institution. Child molesters like Hammond are mass murderers and criminals against humanity. It is also important to recognize that a university professor is someone trustworthy and respectable. Nicholas Hammond is a person who has done crime against children as well as his profession. In short, Vice Chancellor’s decision to allow Dr. Nicholas Hammond to return to his job is highly condemnable and must be protested.

Marketing Intelligence 3.3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marketing Intelligence 3.3 - Essay Example The fact that they only use the Internet to advertise means that they are designing mostly for the younger generation; the old and the very young are neglected. Therefore, they should focus on introducing deigns for the older population, and even for the very young, in order to expand their clientele and to cater to a broader demographic. This would not only strengthen their market position, but would also increase the revenues. The fact that the company relies solely on the Internet and electronic social networking for advertisements (MLS 2012:1) could prove to be dangerous and detrimental to the growth and life of the company. It might be sufficient temporarily while the economy is down and the competition is low, but once the market conditions improve and become stable again, it might prove to be insufficient. Only a limited demographic has access to the Internet or uses the Internet for shopping and social networking. A huge portion of the demographic has been excluded this way. The company should take a serious thought into advertising through print media such as fashion magazines, newspapers, and flyers. This would not only increase the customer base substantially, but would also show to the customers that this is a serious company which is interested in serious business and is here to