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Explore media bias as a threat to democracy in India. A detailed analysis for UPSC Essay PYQ 2018 with examples & key insights.
Contents
Essay Key
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Essay Topic | A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge |
| Paraphrase | This essay explores how media bias can weaken democratic principles and disrupt democratic processes in India. |
| Intent of the Essay | To examine how media bias influences public opinion, shapes political discourse, and impacts the democratic structure in India. |
| Keywords | Biased Media, Democracy, Freedom of Press, Public Opinion, Political Discourse |
Key Arguments
1. Declining Trust in the Media
- Media bias creates doubt among citizens about the fairness and objectivity of news.
- A trustworthy media is essential for an informed public and democratic dialogue.
- Evidence: A 2020 Reuters Institute survey found that only 41% of Indians trusted news media, reflecting a deep trust deficit.
2. Influence on Public Perception
- Biased reporting can distort facts, shaping how people view issues and vote.
- Media often selectively highlights topics aligned with certain political agendas.
- Evidence: The Cambridge Analytica scandal, including its impact in India, showed how media manipulation can sway electoral outcomes.
3. Growing Social and Political Divides
- Media bias creates echo chambers, reinforcing existing beliefs and limiting open discussions.
- This environment fosters division and can lead to rising societal tensions.
- Evidence: Pew Research Center reports show increasing political divides in India, connected to slanted media coverage.
4. Suppression of Free Expression
- Dominant media outlets often overshadow dissenting or minority voices.
- This limits diversity of thought and restricts healthy public discourse.
- Evidence: Journalists facing threats or censorship for critical reporting demonstrate the chilling effects of media bias.
5. Weakening Accountability and Governance
- Biased media may ignore or downplay corruption, reducing public scrutiny.
- Investigative journalism, key to checking power, is declining in biased environments.
- Evidence: Media watchdogs report a significant drop in investigative journalism over the last decade, weakening government accountability.
Case Studies/Examples
| Case Study | Key Insights | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage of the 2020 Delhi Riots | Various media outlets presented divergent narratives that exacerbated communal tensions. | Illustrates the potential of biased reporting to escalate violence and social unrest. |
| Media portrayal of the NRC | The coverage of the National Register of Citizens in Assam was polarized, leading to misunderstandings in public perception. | Highlights how biased media can distort important national policies and create fear among communities. |
| Role of Social Media in Elections | During the 2019 General Elections, social media platforms were rife with misinformation and biased narratives. | Demonstrates how media bias can shape democratic processes through new-age platforms and influence the electorate profoundly. |
Additional Tips
- Highlight the importance of media literacy among citizens as a tool to identify bias, question narratives, and encourage independent thinking.
- Examine how regulatory mechanisms can promote media accountability while safeguarding the freedom of expression in a democratic setup.
- Analyze the impact of corporate control over media on editorial freedom and the ethical standards of journalism.
- Draw comparisons with other democracies tackling media bias to extract valuable lessons and implement effective best practices in India.
