Powers and Privileges to the Fourth Pillar of Indian Democracy

In India, Media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. Democracy is founded on the principle that people have a say in the governance of the country. The press or media gives them the platform to say what they want. They play an important role in framing the opinion of society and people at large. This pillar is capable of changing the whole viewpoint through which people perceive various events. We all know that the circulation of newspapers and magazines in English as well as the various regional languages has been continuously growing in our country. Moreover, the advent of cable television, local radio networks, and the internet has greatly improved the reach and impact of mass media in the past two decades. Evidently, they make people aware of the various happening in the country and across the world. We should acknowledge that existence of free, unbiased, independent, and powerful media is the cornerstone of democracy and especially for a country like India having a mixed society. For that, it is required that these kinds of rights are backed by law so that the people are not deprived of their basic rights. But, what allows them to do so? Who empowers the press for bringing crime and other information into the public domain which affects society? Do they have any special privileges? This article explains the necessity of a free press in the proper functioning of the country. Further, it emphasizes various power and privileges to the press and media including the right to publish legislative and judicial proceedings. Indian Judiciary has held many times that the printing and publication of the news is an essential right of the press. Although, there is no specific provision dealing with powers Courts have recognized the rights of the press time and again.