In recent times, media in all its forms has become a huge part of our daily lives. As the public now has wider access to information – thanks to social media – we now have greater freedom of speech, and the ability to spread inaccurate information. Misinformation is the greatest consequence if more freedom of speech is granted to people. In this case, what’s best for all the stakeholders of this situation has to be a compromise in freedom of speech in order to ensure credible information reaches the public.
If everyone is allowed to broadcast or post news reports, soon we will not be able to distinguish between what is fake and what is real. However if media channels are governed only by the central government, a lot of information could be underreported or not reported at all. Although, in the latter case, whatever information is reported is likely to be from the most credible source.
Personally, what I feel could be a balanced approach has to be one that is unbiased, provides thoroughly researched information and be a voice of the collective public. In addition, the media should provide news that speaks good or bad about all political parties. This is important, especially in democratic countries like India, where it’s of high importance that the public can form their own opinions of the government.