Freedom of Expression or Freedom of Spreading Malice?

Bhubaneswar: Good journalism needs a team of fact checkers and one of the first lessons in journalism is that facts are sacred. This basic principle of journalism and ethics of reporting news, however, are tossed aside by few sections of the media out of the window to cater to the concealed political agenda by airing fabricated stories.

When a media, overwhelmed with its monopolistic characteristics, goes on spreading concocted news to gain popularity and target the establishment to benefit its management, the true meaning of freedom of expression vanishes. A similar thing is happening in Odisha wherein a so called responsible television channel out of its own illegitimate intentions allegedly spreading misinformation on the pandemic situation and thereby creating a fear psychosis among the citizens. This has not only undermined its own credibility but also the whole media whose responsibility during thus crisis is of utmost importance.

What is happening in Odisha’s so called number one channel today is a sad example of unprofessional and unethical malicious presentation of fictitious information. Added to this, the political support manufactured for it is a dangerous trend that all should be worried.

During pandemics, mainstream media’s role is to give information that will help both the people and the administration in protecting lives. Channels should not allow themselves to let their imagination interfere in news and crossing the line.

Taking an audio clip from the social media and telecasting it without any authenticity to gain viewership is nothing but of sick mentality. Those responsible for it should not be let scot-free in the name of freedom of expression. The question that arises here is can a private conversation of two persons over telephone be aired in a news channel without their consent? If so, does it not go against the ethics of journalism?

Also, it is very sad that the said media is trying to cover up the spread of malicious rumours by comparing it with Freedom of speech which is not absolute.

The role of media in a democracy is of utmost importance. Its a powerful tool to inform and educate people and work for the development of the society. With this power also comes the responsibility. Deliberately spreading false and fabricated news to confuse people during a pandemic situation can affect the ongoing fight against the pandemic. It has a direct impact on the decisions people will take and the response that will affect their life. Utilising media as a tool to misinform the public is equal to a crime that should be dealt with strictly.

The constitution gives everybody Freedom of Expression, however even the Supreme Court says, it is not absolute. Blackmailing government and sensationalizing false healthcare issues at this juncture is nothing but crime.
Recently, the Kerala High Court had said that Journalism is not for propagating hearsay news. What to publish and what not to publish are to be decided sensibly. The duty of journalists is to tell the truth.

Deliberating on the case, Justice Kunhikrishnan said “When a pandemic like Covid-19 is spreading everyday, the Health Department is doing their level best. Pointing out a single incident and making discussion about that in a channel cannot be appreciated. That will only affect the morale of the health workers. This is not journalism.”

When the curious case of this Odisha news channel is analyzed, anyone can easily find a hidden link between the roumours and the intentions of the management. The political affiliation and the money power make all the difference. Piggybacking the TV Channel, the management takes on the government establishment that has been successfully fighting the pandemic. Here, again the role of the editor in many a cases raise eyebrows.

When certain political agenda rather than facts take front seat, then journalism gets natural death which is not a good sign for democracy.