Indian society and the media have evolved after 75 years of independence regarding awareness, engagement, and empowerment. The bias and questionable credibility of foreign publications or broadcasts such as The New York Times, Washington Post, or The Economist are not only questioned by a large section of Indian politicians, writers, and journalists, but America's eminent editors, writers, and leaders are also misleading and put forth authentic facts of journalism with vested interests. 

Recently, a report published in the New York Times on Delhi's school education by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his associates and supporters was promoted with cheers. A slave mentality and the issue of "special affection" for foreign media were also brought to light by this controversy. 

In the meantime, I discovered Ashley Rindsberg's book "The Gray Lady Winked," which details the New York Times' writing errors, skewed facts, biases, and fabricated accounts of significant events. 

Rindsberg is a well-known US editor-in-chief. This book, which is roughly a 300-page document of about ten years' worth of research and was published in 2021, has an interesting tale of important events in America and other countries around the world being reported incorrectly.

China has directly or indirectly influenced anti-India campaigns in recent years by investing huge capital in some American publishing houses. China has also spent millions of dollars on biased reporting on the Russia-Ukraine War. 

In his book, Ashley includes information from the first and second world wars about various nations, such as Vietnam, Japan, Cuba, and Israel, as well as numerous incomplete concoctions on the roles of current politicians and the administration of America. 

He says, "The New York Times shows itself to be a very knowledgeable and resourceful institution with morals, but in reality, it creates fake news and throws them up. Some people are in charge of managing it, and they don't pay attention to any other advisors. They have a plan in mind and publish either pro- or anti-prejudice material.

It is not by itself India's economic advancement, communication revolution, nuclear space success, computer/software sector, and ongoing improvements in healthcare facilities disturb some institutions in America and other Western nations. Instead of appreciating the government's and the Indian society's collaborative efforts over the past two years to fight the COVID pandemic, false reports of thousands of deaths in rivers were exaggerated. 

Similarly, instead of opposing the terrorist attacks by Pakistan, anti-India propaganda has been given prominence. In this nation of 1.25 billion people, there has been a constant campaign to make minorities feel insecure rather than highlighting their progress. 

Unfortunately, even after the digital revolution, a section of the media in India, due to the slave mentality of the foreign system, has been taking the information they gave. Intelligence agencies of China and Pakistan fund such puppets in the name of any company or other organization. 

This foreign game has been going on since the 1970s and 1980s. Thirty years ago, such journalists and people connected with them were busted. People were punished while others fled the country.

Additionally, to conducting raids, some individuals were also subject to legal action last year. Yes, it has to be accepted that the guilty are punished late in the judicial system in our country. Even in America, no one calls the raids on former President Donald Trump's bases unreasonable. Arbitrary disturbances are not allowed in the name of human rights in America, Europe, China, etc. In India, people inside or outside encourage violence and disturbances by attacking human rights. 

This article was contributed by our expert Alok Mehta

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Alok Mehta

Q1. Why is the media considered as the fourth organ of Indian democracy?

Indian democracy is based on our constitution, and with executive, legislature and judiciary protect freedom of expression. Therefore, as a watchdog of the whole system and society, the media plays an important role. Therefore, we call the media the fourth pillar or organ of democracy. The success of our Parliamentary system depends, to a large extent, on the role of the media in serving as an interface between parliament and the people.

Q2. How does culture affect journalism?

In the last fifty years, one can see the changes in society from rural areas to cosmopolitan cities. It is also seen in lifestyle and culture. These changes have a significant impact on the media. After the seventies, media turned in color pages and screens, new coverage priorities, more transparency, and more investigations, bold and beautiful. At the same time, one can find the local colors of culture and preferences in regional media.

Q3. How did the concept of media evolve in India?

In a Democracy that respects the value of an open society and transparency in government, citizens are entitled to know the actual facts about the administration of their country. The media, therefore, ought to serve as a forum for the public.

Q4. What are the Ethics of journalism?

The code of journalism comprises aspects like objective reporting, accuracy, self-regulation, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability.