'Essay on the Freedom of the Press Essay\r'

'The Press, as identified with Newspapers, wields immense power in a democratic society. Dickens has called the Press â€Å"the mighty locomotive engine”. So great is its influence that some contract called it the Fourth Estate. Napoleon used to say†â€Å"Your impertinent newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.” For, the sign up forms opinions, shapes movements and controls policies through sound criti­cism. The most knock-d receive(a) autocrat is oblige to take note of worldly concern opinion as reflected in a lighten stuff. That is why a regimented squelch is the dick of autocracy, and a dictator deprives the press of its gratuitousdom. A impoverished press is the symbol of a free passel. An independent, well-informed press is a powerful check on lordly governments and irresponsible administrators. For newspapers are agents of the public, which bring to the light upon of the throng acts of injustice or oppression, or mal-ad ministration that would differently have remained hidden away from public knowledge. They indicate misgovernment at a distance and whiff the approach of tyranny in every corrupt breeze’ (Burke). They exercise a constant caution on the rulers, which is salutary for all.\r\nNowadays it is difficult for the press to be free. Either a newspaper is controlled by some financial magnates entirely and it has to spokesperson their views or it is the mouthpiece of a party, and it must think as the party might direct; or it is chthonic the thumb of the government and in that case its proceeds is reduced and independence compromised. For whoever controls it, necessarily limits its immunity by his own interests, i.e. calls the tune. In the States, the great newspapers are in the bands of powerful financial syndicates; in England, they are in the hands of capitalists; in Russia they are mostly controlled by the government. But freedom of the press in all(prenominal) case depends on the way it reflects the leave alone, the purpose of the population as a whole, in preference to that of either class or community or individual. The unreal or unrealistic character of the freedom of the press was seen during Great War. It is in such times of crisis that the voice of the people should be most clearly hear and not muffled. Yet it is then that newspapers are entirely gagged. Most of these abuses might be checked to the receipts of all concerned, if the newspapers have freedom to criticise regime and ventilate grievances. Indeed, no government can back up the voice of the people but at its own peril. The problem, therefore, isâ€how to ensure freedom of the newspaper.\r\nLegislation, of course, should guarantee the press against stoppage by the government; this goes without saying- But something more is necessary. The press under no circumstances should be forced to disclose the source of information or will be subservient to the government. But enjoins en joys a jibe duty on the part of the Pressâ€that it should take strictly honest journalism and should not tumble any garbled report or damaging account. Independent-minded editors should have the right to ft free expression of opinions and unhampered publication of news, subject only to the boundary that they do not discommode abuse and obligate within the bounds of decorum. But real freedom of the press can exist only where a free people can function freely as in true democracy. It may be asked, why do we say there is no freedom of the press in England or America or India. The reason is that in these countries, the common people are in economic bondage. Governments are govern by the power of money and the press is controlled by owners in the interests of Big Business. In is, therefore, rightly claimed that in a Socialist country as the people become economically free, the government acquires an increasingly delegate character. The journalists then can write freely and g ayly. The high hat way to ensure freedom of the press is to publish all news from accredited sources, to allow free ventilation of opinion, to do away with all controls invite out in the interest of public safety or welfare.\r\nFreedom of the press should be a value privilege and has to be safeguarded. It is a sacred right, which should be zealously promoted. Governments owe it to themselves to guarantee it from all arbitrary interference. Editors owe it to the public to maintain an honest and fearless attitude in favour of the people, against party or class interests. And the people owe it to their country to postulate and defend such freedom as a priceless heritage.\r\n'