Discuss role of media in contemporary urban governance with suitable illustrations.

 Media in Contemporary Urban Governance: Citizen’s overall public life is affected by the media and a great impact is made in various policy decisions if media is aware about its role in a democratic country like India. With the help of media, people have exerted their power at various occasions. This role would be more effective if media’s reach extends fairly well to rural areas instead its concentration in urban areas. In recent times, the growth of Indian language press, internet, cable networks satellite information, the spread of information and the face of media has changed.

However, a new “crisis’ has appeared with the commercialization and commodification of media. Now one who pays can access media and message. Today, the vertical link can be established by the media at the world level but the horizontal spread of news to increase communication between groups, gender and communities is still far from satisfactory. This would increase the divide between information haves and have-nots.

There are three types of media in India-officially owned, privately owned (reformist variety) and privately owned (radical changers). The official media blindly supports the policies of the government. The reformist variety of media is privately owned and shares the fundamental democratic values and is critical about the policies and activities of the government. It asks for reviews and reforms in governance and advocates modernity and rationality in public life. The radical media demands fundamental changes in the rules of governance.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDIA :

People’s access to information has increased in recent times and they are discovering in governance. People are themselves and to participate in governance. People are trying to lea which can be facilitated by the media.  However, in today’s context we cannot expect media to become a mission towards the goal of social transformation in any big measure. The newspapers do have created a ‘public sphere? where the public can share its ideas. Indian media has played an important role as a watchdog of the society by exposing criminal negligence of decision-makers, reporting corruption, hunger and injustice done in society.

Today, the urban poor including women and dalits and other marginalised sections are using media increasingly to raise their voices. Media should encourage art, science and literature but it is focusing on astrology, rebirths, religious myths, beliefs and aliens. Now days almost every news channel telecast astrological programmes where an astrologer or some baba is sitting and predicting about deaths, marriages and relationships. In the place of live telecast of superstitious programmes media should telecast scientific development taking place and how technology is helping us in day to day life. This kind of telecast will assist in human resource development.

As a developing nation India is lacking behind in many aspects like technology, research development, and social and economic development and human resource development. There is great need of intelligent journalists who can help in removing social evils like caste system, communalism, poverty, superstition etc. It should not devote maximum time on discussing cricket and cricketers rather it should be utilize on development of rational thinking of the masses. The main focus of media should be on development and upliftment of the society.

Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)