INCREASING ATROCITIES ON THE FORTH PILLAR OF DEMOCRACY

Ø  14th Nov, 2011, Jodhpur- Media personnel covering the popular Bhanwari Devi case, attacked by alleged suspended minister Mahipal Maderno.

Ø  25th Nov, 2011, Srinagar- Associate press cameraman assaulted by police and paramilitary forces using rifle, butts, batons, fist and kicks.

Ø  2nd  March, 2011, Bengaluru- Lawyers attacked media persons on the City Civil Court Complex premises.

The above facts clearly indicates the increasing atrocities on the forth pillar of democracy i.e. PRESS. But, what compelled me more to write this article is the recent act by former telecom minister and the prime accused of 2G scam, A. Raja.

The incident took place at the party that was thrown by A. Raja, after he was granted bail by the hon’ble court. The party was attended by nearly 200 of his supporters at his Delhi residence. The media persons went there for covering the celebration of A. Raja’s return, but some of his supporters raised objection on the media’s presence. The supporters didn’t confine themselves to just raising objections, but also misbehaved with the press reporters and cameraman.

Every morning we open the newspaper with a cup of tea and update ourself with the various happenings around the globe. In the evening too, after returning from work we switch on the television and take a note on the various happenings with the evening news. But, have we ever spared some time to give a thought on how the journalists and the reporters work day and night for providing us with news and information from every nook and corner. If we dare to look at their lives, we will get to know about the actual fact. Once I heard a reporter saying, ”Every morning I hardly get time to have my breakfast. Sometimes I just grab an apple and start for my work”. This simple statement clearly reflects their life.
 
After working all day and night, after collecting every little piece of information, after spending sleepless nights, after risking their life, what the journalists are rewarded with is assault, misbehaviour and harassment. I am sorry to say this, but that’s the truth. I am neither trying to establish the supremacy of the journalism fraternity, nor am I saying that they are always true. But, keeping in mind their hard work and effort, why can’t we give them the little respect, which they deserve,

Whether, we accept it or not, but each and every individual depends on the media fraternity in some way or the other. It’s often seen that the police assaults the media personnel, but whenever the police is in need of any kind of footage regarding certain incident, the police approaches the media. Tis really very strange and it clearly show the dependence.

The incidents that have been mentioned above are just a few atrocities of recent times. In the past there had been many similar incidents. But, we can’t let this continue in the future. Being someone belonging from the media fraternity, I strongly feel that this need to be stopped.

We are living in a democracy. And we all are aware of the fact that, democracy stands on the support of the four pillars, namely legislature, executive, judiciary and press. Even if a single pillar breaks down, democracy will get smashed. And there had been continuous attack on the forth pillar i.e. press. So, if we want to save democracy, unnecessary harassment must be stopped and safeguard must be provided to the media fraternity.