Constitutional Law

EXPANDING ROLE OF MEDIA ON INDIAN DEMOCRACY IN 21ST CENTURY: A CRITICAL STUDY Yuvraj Singh, 10th semester Student of BA.LLB(H) at Amity Law School, Amity University, Lucknow, India. Dr. Reshma Umair, Assistant Professor at Amity university Lucknow Campus. Download Manuscript doi.org/10.70183/lijdlr.2024.v03.38 Media shapes Indian democracy through relentless engagement with politics, people, and governance. Its role evolved beyond information to mobilisation, accountability, transparency, and citizen empowerment. “Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution ensures freedom of speech and expression for the press”. Courts have repeatedly reaffirmed media’s centrality to democratic dialogue and constitutional accountability. In “Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras, Supreme Court” held press freedom is essential. The transition from print and radio to television and digital platforms altered democratic discourse. Social media platforms became instrumental in influencing public opinion, elections, and policymaking. They act both as tools for participation and sources of disinformation and manipulation. The 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections showcased social media’s unprecedented political outreach. Yet, excessive media trials have distorted justice as seen in “Manu Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi)”. While media uncovers corruption, it also succumbs to paid news, TRP wars, and political allegiance. Regulatory frameworks like the “Press Council Act, 1978, and Cable TV Networks Act, 1995,” lack sharp enforcement. The IT Rules, 2021 raised concerns over chilling effects on free speech and editorial freedom. India needs urgent legislative clarity and judicial review of digital regulation under constitutional scrutiny. Democratic ideals demand that media remain free, factual, ethical, and representative of public conscience. Type Information Research Paper LawFoyer International Journal of Doctrinal Legal Research, Volume III, Issue I, Page 933-959. Creative Commons Copyright This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. © Authors, 2024