OPINION: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
BY
GEETA NARULA
PART-I
INTRODUCTION
India holds the distinction of being the largest democracy in the world with over 120 billion of population and over 65 billion of voters. The Constitution makers of this democracy decided to make self-governance a living reality and for this purpose; they included Right to Freedom of speech and expression into fundamental rights of every citizen. But, this fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, as guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, would be meaningless without authentic requisite information about issues and subjects on which opinions are to be formed and expressed. The right to information is therefore implicit in the right to speech and expression and thus has been so declared by Supreme Court of India. Further, it would also not be possible to articulate this right to information without existence of free media. The existence of free media will not only ensure transparent administration of the public affairs but will also strengthen the mechanism of accountability and thereby the efficient working of the democratic regime.
In a true democratic society, the affairs of the society are run through equal, active and effective participation of all the citizens in its affairs. To be effective, the participation has to be well informed, the information available to the people being full and truthful. The only means through which the news and views relevant for decision-making by the people can be made available on a mass scale are the print media and the electronic media. To keep people informed fully on all news and views on any given issue or subject is, therefore, the primary task of the press. To discharge its function properly, the press has not only to present all the facts and opinions truthfully and adequately, but also in an unbiased and unprejudiced manner. To do so, the press has to be free from internal constraints and external restraints.
The Media holds the mirror to society and is the powerful channel of communication. Hence, A special duty is imposed on the media; which is universally considered as fourth pillar of the democracy, to not only inform the general public of various issues and subjects but also at the same time to build their opinion and to reflect them in proper form. The freedom of media includes the right to receive and collect information of public importance from all primary and authenticated sources and to disseminate it through all legitimate sources.
This research is a very small attempt in which I have tried to analysis the role and impact of media on opinion framing power of general public.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM
Although the role of media in shaping and moulding of opinion of general public is not a new area and much has been written on this topic from time to time, but the recent controversy over the credibility and utility of the exit polls / manipulation of electoral verdict, tehlaka episode, use of media by the political parities for their own propaganda during general election, relevance of death punishment for the offence of rape (Dananjaya Chatterjee case) etc. suggested that the problem needs a fresh look and that‘s why I decided to work on this particular topic.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM
The main reason, which prompted me to choose this particular topic as area of my study, is the significance and impact of the news and views as they are presented by the media before the general public who because of their illiteracy and ignorance are forced to believe what they are told; especially in the far-flung areas. Attempts made by the young children to hang one’s self in West Bengal State soon after the execution of the death punishment of the ‘Dananjaya Chatterjee’ few months back, is the fresh example of how powerful media has become today.
HYPOTHESIS
In the process of gathering information in respect of the problem identified, I came across huge literature on the subject as also the different views of the several students. Based on these materials, I drew up the following hypothesis:
“The media intentionally and purposefully tries to use their power of opinion shaping so that they can build opinion for or against an issue or situation”.
VARIABLES
The above stated hypothesis contains 2 variables.
Variable A - Role of media, which will be an independent variable.
Variable B – Opinion of general public, a dependent variable as the opinion of general public can change according to the role of media.
OPERATIONIZATION
For the purpose of this research; the meaning of certain terms frequently used in this report are as follow:
MEDIA – For the purpose of this research means newspaper, radio and television. Other mediums such as websites, stage shows etc. have been specifically excluded for reason of their impact.
OPINION – Point of view
GENERAL PUBLIC – Common Indian.
OBJECTIVE
Though the topic requires an in-depth study but due to paucity of time and resources, this research is limited to following objectives only.
- To highlight the role played by media today in shaping opinion
- To assess the impact of various issues and situations on the minds of general public
- Impact of privatization and globalization over the role of media
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
For the purpose of this study, Empirical data collected through interview schedule will be primary data and books and written literature will be secondary data. As the problem is of socio-legal consequence hence along with books existing legal provision and judicial pronouncement relating to the subject will also be discussed. Following is list of literature to be referred to.
Books
Constitution of India, 1950
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Sawant, Js. P.B.; Mass media in contemporary India, 1998,
Capital Foundation Society, New Delhi
Reports
AIR
SCC
SCR
Articles from Journals/ Magazines/ Periodicals
Katju, M.; “ Role of media in the 21st century”, 2002 A.I.R Journal / 18, pp-273-274
Katyal, K.K.; “ Media, Democracy and People’s Right ”, Mainstream, June 7, 2003, pp 15-17
Narain, Yogendra; “ Role of legislator and media in enhancing good governance and development”, Mainstream, May 17,2003, pp 17-22
Jagdish, A. Kumar; “Crime and media: Contemporary interface issues”, NISD Journal, October 2004, pp 4-14
Newspapers
The Hindu
The Hindustan Times
The Times of India
Magazines
Economic and Political Weekly
The Frontline
The India Today
Mainstream
METHODOLOGY
As this study is non-doctrinal one and has to be carried out in a very limited time, fair attempt has been made to collect authentic and reliable data. Both primary and secondary sources of study are used for the study. The primary source of information consists of the data collected through interviewing the respondents selected by deliberate sampling method. Structured questions, which are close ended only, were used to collect the data in a very conducive environment. The structured interview schedule that has been used in carrying out the interview is reproduced in ANNEXURE-I.
Though it is a structured interview, report making with the respondents is necessary to eliminate the reactivity syndrome, so the beginning of the interview is left unstructured to let the respondent feel confident. Following is the summary of the methodology used and adopted.
• One standardized interview schedule is used for every respondent that is both male and female.
• Name, age and address are left optional to the respondents because the same were not considered relevant for the study.
• Interview schedule is prepared in English but for the convenient of the respondents questions can also be put in Hindi.
• After eliciting opinions of the respondents a statically comparison is to made to separate “yes” and “no” in relation to the topic of the study.
Tabulation and subsidiary interpretation of collected data follow next.
UNIVERSE IDENTIFICATION
Keeping in mind the nature of hypothesis and area of study, I confined my universe to the students of Law and for this purpose choose sample from Faculty of Law, Delhi University.
SAMPLING
It being an empirical research, data collection is essential. For the purpose of this study, a sample size of thirty students has been taken. The smaller size is taken due to scarcity of time.
However respondents amongst male and female have been chosen randomly. And as the topic did not require any gender-based study of the data, hence the sample is not taken in equal proportion of male and female. The respondents are law students both of LL.B as well as LL.M course. The identification of the respondent will be kept secret.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Scope of the present study is limited to find out the knowledge and attitude of law students over this particular issue.
The main limitation of the study is that it is conducted in a restricted geographical area. So replication of this study with a larger universe may give more accurate results. Further, due to shortage of time and resources sample size is also kept small; 30 students.
METHOD OF TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS
If the responses of the respondents interviewed indicate that the media misuses its power of shaping opinion, then my hypothesis stands proved otherwise disapproved.
PART-II
About Survey Conducted through Interview Schedule
To know the opinion and attitude of the law students regarding role of media in shaping opinion of general public; several other related question were also asked. Respondent were picked up randomly from the Faculty of Law, Delhi University and the interviews were conducted from November 20, 2004 to November 30, 2004. Further, the interview process was carried by me personally and I was quite satisfied to know that respondents being the students of law, most of them were well aware of the socio-legal consequences of the problem.
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
The interview schedule designed specifically to carry out the research contained total 15 questions and all of them were close ended, as they were so required by the topic. Further whatever information, I gathered during the course of this study shall be used for the purpose of this study only and the identification of the respondent will be kept secret.
DATA ANALYSIS
As the Interview schedule contained total 15 questions and all of them were close ended, the analysis of the data so gathered becomes necessary. From systematic analysis of this data, the following results emerged.
Tabulation and Graphics
Sample size : 30
Total No. of respondents interviewed : 30
Male : 18
Female : 12
Percentage of respondents interviewed : 100
1. Primary source of your daily information
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Newspaper 09 30%
Radio 00 00%
T.V. 03 10%
All of them 18 60%
Total 30 100%
Out of 30 respondents, 18 (60%) used all three sources of information whereas, 09 (30%) used only Newspaper as source. Only 03 (10%) students used T.V. as a source of daily information. Surprisingly none of the student used Radio as an only source of their information.
2. Is free media must for development?
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 24 80%
No 03 10%
Can’t say 03 10%
Total 30 100%
Out of 30 respondents interviewed, 24 (80%) were of the opinion that existence of free media is must for the development of every community. Whereas, only 03 (10%) students were of the negative opinion and equal number of students 03 (10%) were not sure of the importance of media.
3. Does Indian Legislature adequately provide for Right to Free and Untainted Information?
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 09 30%
No 18 60%
Can’t say 03 10%
Total 30 100%
Interestingly only 09 (30%) were satisfied with the legal provision on right to free information. A majority of students 18 (60%) considered them inadequate, whereas, rest 03 (10%) students were not sure.
4. Is freedom of press part of Art.19 (1) (a) of Constitution?
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 27 90%
No 00 00%
Can’t say 03 10%
Total 30 100%
A majority of students 27 (90%) were aware of the inclusion of Freedom of press under Art. 19 (1) (a) whereas rest 03 (10%) students were not sure. The outcome was not surprising as respondents were students of law.
5. Article 19 (2) Constitution and Sec. 501 I.P.C. provides proper check over freedom of press.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 12 40%
No 18 60%
Can’t say 00 00%
Total 30 100%
When asked whether necessary legal steps are taken to provide proper check over freedom of press only 12 (40%) were of the supportive view and majority of 18 (60%) were not satisfied with the limitations provided by the article 19 (2) of the Constitution and Sec. 501 of I.P.C.
6. Level of satisfaction over role of media in reporting social issues.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Totally 06 20%
To some extent 21 70%
Not at all 03 10%
Total 30 100%
However surprisingly, there was huge dissatisfaction among the respondents over the role played by media while reporting social and delicate issues. Only 06 (20%) of the students were fully satisfied with the role whereas 03 (10%) were totally dissatisfied. Remaining 21 (70%), a huge number of students were only partially satisfied.
7. Honesty and efficacy of media in raising issues.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 09 30%
No 21 70%
Can’t say 00 00%
Total 30 100%
Equal level of dissatisfaction was seen among the respondents when they were asked of the honesty and efficacy of media in raising the issues of general public particularly social issues. Only 09 (30%) of the students said media raises such issues honestly. Majority of 21 (70%) students were of the view that they do not.
8. Misuse of opinion shaping power by media.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 27 90%
No 03 10%
Can’t say 00 00%
Total 30 100%
Interestingly, this dissatisfaction was further carried out when they were asked whether media sometimes intentionally misuses their power of opinion shaping. There was complete unanimity among respondents while answering this question. 27 (90%) respondents said they misuse. Only 03 (10%) said media do not misuse its power of shaping opinions.
9. News as a “saleable commodity”.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 21 70%
No 05 17.67%
Can’t say 04 13.33%
Total 30 100%
Same views were reflected when they asked of the use of ‘news’ as a “saleable commodity” by the media. Again majority of students 21 (70%) were of the opinion that Yes, media uses news as “saleable commodity”. Whereas, 05 (17.67%) students said No and 04 (13.33%) students were not sure.
10. News channels fail to check the authenticity of the sources.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 20 66.67%
No 06 20 %
Can’t say 04 13.33%
Total 30 100%
On being asked, whether media in quest to provide news fast fails to check the authenticity of the sources, 20 (66.67%) students said yes they do, 06 (20 %) said no and remaining 04 (13.33%) were not sure.
11. Dananjaya Chatterjee episode example of misuse of said power by the media.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 24 80%
No 03 10 %
Can’t say 03 10%
Total 30 100%
Similar opinion were reflected when respondents were asked opinion on the
Dananjaya Chatterjee episode. 24 (80 %) students viewed it as an example of media hype and misuse of their power. Remaining students were equally
Divided over the issue. 03 (10 %) said no and equally 03 (10 %) students were not sure.
12. Huge financial investment is hampering the free flow of information.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 27 90%
No 03 10 %
Can’t say 00 00%
Total 30 100%
In response to this question, the majority 27 (90%) replied affirmatively and
only 3 (10%) were of the contrary view.
13. Impact of globalization and allowing more FDI in media sector.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Better 12 40%
Worsen 15 50 %
No Impact 03 10%
Total 30 100%
However, on the question of impact of globalization and increase in FDI limit in media sector, the opinion of the respondents was clearly divided. 12 (40%) said that it will improve the working style of media whereas slightly more number of students were of the opposite view. 15 (50%) students said that it will further worsen the situation. Rest 03 (10%) students were not sure of the impact.
14. Governmental control over media sector.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Yes 24 80%
No 06 20 %
Can’t say 00 00%
Total 30 100%
But surprisingly, though most of the students were dissatisfied with role being played by the media today but still most of them were in favor of some kind of government control over media sector. 24 (80%) students said yes there should be government control over them. Remaining 06 (20%) were against the idea of control.
15. Role Media should play today.
Response No. of Respondents Percentage
Communicator 09 30%
Representative 03 10 %
Spokesperson 03 10%
All 12 40%
None 03 10%
Total 30 100%
Finally, when the respondents were asked of the role media should play keeping in mind the today’s circumstances, 09 (30%) of the respondents said media should work only as a communicator, 03 (10%) said as their representative and equally number of students 03 (10%) said as their spokesperson. Majority of students 12 (40%) it should be combination of all three. Surprisingly, 03 (10%) students were of the view that media has no need to play any kind of role.
SUM UP
After careful examination of the above stated data, fallowing observations can be made.
Most of the respondents were well aware of the role and importance of media in today’s world; specially in a democratic and developing country like India.
Majority of the respondents clearly believed that media has failed to perform its duty in the recent past.
Many believed that there is no proper legal mechanism to control media.
Most of them believed that this is the result of commercialization of media sector and globalization will further worsen the situation.
Many respondents opinioned that media has not only failed to report social and delicate issues honestly and effectively but also has turned news and events into saleable commodity. They were also dissatisfied on media’s failure to check the authenticity of their sources.
They further believed that media grossly misuse their opinion shaping power and most of them looked Dananjaya episode as an indication of such misuse.
Interestingly, most of the respondents were in strong favor of some kind of governmental control over media sector.
However, Despite such huge dissatisfaction with role of media, most of the students wanted media to play a very effective role in raising issues of general public and in communicating them the real facts as such role is the requirement of today’s world.
RESULT
On the basis analysis of the data so collected in this survey, it can be safely concluded that my hypothesis stands proved. .
Suggestions and submissions:
As we all know the importance and impact of media on the minds of general public, necessary steps must be taken immediately to improve the working pattern of the media sector. Perhaps, no reform can be as significant for making democratic institution work as reform in the media sector.
First of all, all necessary legal provisions must be made to make media more accountable and reliable. For example, Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code needs an immediate review. The said sec. provides punishment to those, who knowingly publishes a defamatory statement. But the maximum imprisonment of 2 year is too inadequate to have the deterrent effect over the deliberate offenders.
Further, Media on their own must realize their responsibity, which is to inform the public of the actual facts. Further, while reporting delicate issues they must check the authenticity of their news sources.
As early in 1974, Justice Stewart of the U.S. Supreme declared in the case of Saxbe V. The Washington Post Co. 417, U.S. 843 {1974} that the press has only the same constitutional right to access to the information as that is available to the general public. Expressing the similar views recently, on 18 Dec, 2004, Supreme Court took a very strong note of the role of media. During the hearing of a newspaper’s petition challenging the validity of Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code relating to defamation, a Bench of Justices Y.K. Sabharwal and D.M. Dharmadhikari referred to the recent controversy arising from the publication of the photograph of the Bollywood stars in an intimate pose. It described such exposure both by the electronic and print media as 'not in good taste' and in no way can be in public good. The court clearly stated that “In the name of public good, the media can go on doing whatever it intended to do."
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
TOPIC : ROLE OF MEDIA IN SHAPING OPINION OF GENERAL PUBLIC
Name (Optional) -
Address (Optional) -
Q.1 What is the primary source of your daily information?
Newspaper ( ) Radio ( ) T.V. ( ) All of them ( )
Q.2 Do you agree that a free media is must for over all development of every community?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.3 Do you feel that The Indian Legislature has taken all required measures for providing Right to Free and Untainted Information to the people of India?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.4 Do you know that Right to Freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a) also includes Freedom of Press / Media?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.5 Do you agree that limitations as provided by Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution and Section 501 of the I.P.C. are enough to check proper use of freedom by the press?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.6 To what extent, you are satisfied with the role played by the media in raising social issues and reporting of delicate matters; like those arising during the period of communal tension?
Totally ( ) To some extent ( ) Not at all ( )
Q.7 Do you feel that media “Honestly and effectively” raises the issues, concerns and interests of the people, specially the unrepresented; and reflects their views, prospective, likes- dislikes etc.?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.8 Is it correct to say that media sometimes tries to misuse their opinion building power in moulding or influencing of views of general public for or against a particular issue for their own personal reasons?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.9 Is it correct to say that today News has become ‘Just’ a “saleable commodity”?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.10 Do you feel that News channels in their race to provide every news on their channel first fail to perform their duty to distinguish between facts and opinions and to check the authenticity of the sources?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.11 Do you feel recent hype created over the execution of death punishment of Dananjaya Chatterjee was an example of misuse of the said power by the media?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.12 Do you feel that involvement of huge cost in setting up a media house and their centralization in the hands of big business houses is hampering the free flow of information to the public and which is in turn resulting in the sensationalisation of news and events?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.13 In your opinion, what would be effect of globalization and allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) into media sector on this problem?
Better ( ) Worse ( ) No Impact ( )
Q.14 Should there be any kind of governmental control, direct or indirect; over the private media?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Can’t Say ( )
Q.15 In your opinion, which of the following role of Media is more important for Today’s India?
1. As a mass communicator ( )
2. As a self-assumed representative of the people /
As an active watch dog of the interests of the society ( )
3. As their regular and constant spokesperson ( )
4. All of the above ( )
5. None of above ( )
AN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
BY
GEETA NARULA
ADVOCATE
DELHI HIGH COURT.
Contact at: (E-mail)
advocategeeta@yahoo.com / advocategeeta@rediffmail.com