Power Of Press In Democracy 


" I m not afraid of Hundreds of battalions of an army but I am afraid of a single newspaper."

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 happenings of the world. 

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 policies of the government.  It is through them that the public 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 opinions  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 government. "

Besides this newspapers are also important media of communication between the government and the people. Govt publishes its plans, programmers,  policies and its 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. 

Newspapers also serve as important means of advertisements.  They help in trade and commerce by advertising their products and other benefiting schemes for public.  The Government and companies use newspapers to let the people know about their vacancies for different posts. The newspapers also help a lot of marriageable youths thought their matrimonial columns to find desirable partners. In addition to all these, the newspaper industry also has vast scope of employing people's in different capacities.  In shorts, they play a very important  role in our social economics life.

But the newspaper have some drawbacks too. They serve as means of propaganda for the various political parties.  Often sectarian and ambiguous views and comments are expressed through them. The newspaper creates communal disharmony by voicing based opinions of religious leaders.  They create agitation in 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.  The Govt's recent proposal to introduce Parser Bharati Bill is very much welcome.  For democracy,  the newspaper undoubtedly has a vital role to play.