On Media Trends and Trial by Media
(A comment is a statement of opinion on facts.)
Kumar Chand Pullagura, 1st Year
Journalism and Mass Communication,
Acharya Nagarjuna University
Abstract: On principle, any company or business, the service to the public is inter-linked. It appears that it has been for the purpose of getting license from the government. The TV channels pay Rs.1.5Crore for the license to the government. Each news channel started its sister concern by paying Rs.1Crore additionally. It spends another Rs.1.5Crore for the establishment. So the total expenditure is Rs. 4Crores. Finally, the run for the financial gain has been speedily targeted. The zeal for the commercial gains shadow the service motto. When we refer the guidelines for down-linking of Television channels issued by the government, it is clear that the Government formed rules and regulations for the electronic media. The channels are supposed to adhere to these rules. The channels are to get permission from the government to telecast any program one month in advance. It is not understood how these channels telecast the program on spot without getting permission from the government. The reporting in print media crossed its limits in the coverage of crime news. The same is carried over to the e-media because the experts from the print media are shifted to this media. Moreover some own these channels. As per the procedure prevailed over – every one has to accept the following four points: 1. The magistrates or the judges1 are the important functionaries in the criminal procedure code. 2. The police brings the accused to the court for the trial to prove his guilt. 3. The court takes its time in completing trial giving ample opportu- nity to the accused to defend. 4. The matter is under subjudice till the trial is completed Need to study: Media is generally the agency for interpersonal communication. Interaction, interchange, sharing and commonness are the various phrases of communication. So the mass communication ought to refer totality of communication. Now we are in mass media. According to Harold Lasswell2, there are three major functions – 1. Surveillance of the environment 2. Interpretation of the information and 3. Prescription for conduction and transmission of heritage. Surveillance is referred to information or news. The entertainment is part of all the three factors. The media is totally dependent on advertising which helps the mass media to survive by business. This has been making the mechanical media to run out of rails. And so the present issue is raised. It is right juncture to mention here that Ben Day3 (in 1833) started selling his New York Sun for a penny instead of six cents - obviously it was a sensation. Joseph Pulitzer4 (in 1883) presented human interested stories, gossips and sensation with scandals. His form of journal was based on sensation which gained readers and became a source for reaching height in circulation in 1890. George Scripps5, brought the word economy, without wasting space for big headlines, enlarged photographs and provided ample scope for news, information, editorial and other essential features. It appears that the print media followed the Pulitzer type of sensation so as to survive and earn large amounts. Of course he was successful. But remember that we should not over do the things for personal gains. So the present situation is under check.. Since there is no limitation by the management, the reporting network has no boundaries. Whether it comes under defamation or not is different matter. But it degrades our judiciary. The object of criminal law6 is to protect the society by punishing the offenders. However no one be punished without a fair trial. A person might be caught red-handed, but he must be adjudged to be guilt by the court. So the accused is to be brought to the court. The police7 is doing their duty prompt in this regard and the court decides the guilt and punishes. The role of mechanical media in reporting criminal offences is under question. Conclusion: The police force is the instrument for the prevention and detection of crime. The Criminal Procedure Code conferred specific powers to carry on their duties. The fact that a FIR is prepared by police means, that the same police cannot withdraw it. It should be presented to the court. The court only can withdraw the FIR. So the case is subjudice.8 The matters or details should not be published, or telecast or not even discussed by either of them in public. So the crime news in newspapers or crime stories in TV channels - are against to the court proceedings. It is to note here that the governments did not have a network to monitor daily telecast of around 25 national network channels and 5 local channels in each state. The government could initiate actions when one reports. Mr. Hanumantha Rao, a parliamentarian, met the Governor of A.P two months ago and requested him to initiate action on TV channels to stop telecasting the crime stories. Who can stop this? As per law it is certainly the police. It has the network to read news papers and view the TV channels. The police should take this situation serious and should be ready to file cases against the reporter, the presenter and the management of the newspaper or the channel. Then only this nature of the mechanical media can be in limit regarding the matters of the court.Journalism and Mass Communication,
Acharya Nagarjuna University
References:
1. Economic And Political Weekly, August 2, 2008 – “Media: Bashed from out side and Flawed from within“ by Sumanta Banerjee
2. “P.G.Diploma and Media Laws” by Dr. M. Sridhar Acharya published by Nalsar University, Hyderabad,
3. “Outlines of Criminal Procedures” by R.V. Kelkar published by Eastern Book Company, Lucknow,
4. “Media – The Legal Framework” by Dr. M. Sridhar Acharya published by Nalsar University, Hyderabad,
5. “The Guidelines for Downlinking of Television Channels from Government of India”
6. “Convergence & New Media” by Dr. M. Sridhar Acharya published by Nalsar University, Hyderabad,
7. “PIB – Media Consultative Committee” held on 26-02-09, www.mib.nic.in
8. “Indian Media – current and future trends” an interview with T.N. Ashok an eminent Economic journalist and Media Advisor at Delhi
