Page 1 of 6
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 83
Responsibility of Media in the Contemporary Scenario
Dr. Vijay Kumar
Asstt. Prof. of Journalism and Mass Communication
D.A.V.P.G. College, Karnal
Abstract
In the present age of globalization when we are witnessing some radical and drastic
changes, the role of media becomes significant and important. Without any shadow of
doubt, it is media which acts as a mirror as it projects a clear picture of different aspects of
society. Not even a single aspect of our society, whether it is political, social, religious and
cultural is untouched by media. In all these spheres of life, media is playing its dominant
and vibrant role by taking every responsibility sincerely.
Key-words: Media, Responsibility, Gate-keeper, Images, Images, Democracy
Paper
It is an established fact that in the presence scenario the role of media cannot be under
estimated as in all spheres of life, media is playing a vital and significant role. It is through
media that one cannot be untouched with the happenings around the world during each and
every minute. The information provided by media is so diverse and wide that no aspect of
politics, society, trade and economy are untouched by media. That is why, we are so
Page 2 of 6
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 84
surrounded by the activities of media that we fill its presence and impact every minute and
hour.
As far as the responsibility of media is concerned, it affects each and every field,
and there are number of scholars who are busy with the responsibility of media in their
writings nowadays, especially focus on the first responsibility of media. Regarding the first
responsibility of media, different scholars have expressed views as per their own mood,
temperament, taste and angle of perception. But, it goes without saying that the first
responsibility of media is in the social field where we came across a number of grim
realities about society.
Like literature, media is also a mirror of what is happening in the society as through
media we can connect all the problems people are facing in the society. So, it can be said
that the role of the media is that of a mediator that connects every happening in the society
by projecting it with reality. Some scholars have used different terminology for the word
mirror like window, filter gate keeper, signpost and so on, but there is no doubt in denying
the fact that images used by the scholars law the above the same role to play as is played
by the word ‘mirror’.
So, without any shadow of doubt, we can safely and rightly conclude the fact that
the primary aim of media is to reflect what is going on in the society, and for this we take
into consideration two aspects. The first and the foremost is to present truth, but it should
be kept into our mind that the truth emplaced should easily be accepted.
Page 3 of 6
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 85
The second function of media is related to the fact, that even if the information
provided by is trust worthy, it should also be meaningful at the same time. It is also a fact
that more of less, media faithfully projects the images of the public. It also affects the way
of thinking and value view of audience. In this way, the significance of media cannot be
underestimated. It is because of these reasons, if media always publishes some improper
ideas or some meaningless fact for one purpose or other, e.g., the commercial profit and
the harm produced by it. It is enough to destroy a place’s or even a country’s economic and
political development. From the above quoted views, it is totally clear that the role of
media is that of its social responsibility or in other words, should be responsible of the
audience.
As far as the role of media in society is concerned, Robert Hutchins Advocates
strongly the theory regarding the social responsibility of media. In this way, both the
different perspectives which we have analyzed in the earlier paragraph regarding the social
responsibility of media it can be said without any doubt, i.e. nearer of the society and
responsible of audience cannot neglected.
Regarding the role of media in democracy, it cannot be undisputedly hailed that
media is the Back Bone of democracy. In shaping a healthy democracy which is system of
government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representative.
Media plays a significant role. Through media, we come across various social, political
and economical activities happening around the world. Media in this regard acts as the
mirror showing us bare truth and harsh realities of our life.
