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Aditi Himatsinghani

Defending democracy: The Imperative of a Free Press

We currently live in a world greatly influenced by the media and press.

Human nature is such that it makes them eager to know about their surroundings, and the tendency to be informed, such an atypical nature makes them prone to relying upon and getting influenced by the information that they receive. Thus it goes unnoticed how much of an impact the media and press has on our thought process and beliefs; shaping our mindsets and provoking our opinions.


Since the early modernization of our society, the press has played a key role in creating awareness and informing the masses as well as providing them with a form of entertainment. Press freedom is an essential pillar of any democracy.

A free press can inform citizens of their leaders’ successes or failures, convey the people’s needs and desires to government bodies, and provide a platform for the open exchange of information and ideas. When media freedom is restricted, these vital functions break down, leading to poor decision-making and harmful outcomes for leaders and citizens alike.


According to reports the freedom of the press has been deteriorating all over the world since this last decade. The report noted that, just when citizens needed accurate reporting more than ever in the face of a global pandemic, there had been a “dramatic deterioration” of press freedom and access to information. Experts also note that there have been increasing attacks on journalists. Reporters getting killed while chasing a story. Online attacks against women journalists, including death and rape threats. Targeted electronic surveillance to intimidate and silence investigative journalism. This is the shocking brutal truth of journalism today. Silencing journalists by killing them is the most egregious form of censorship. The media have fallen prey to more nuanced efforts to throttle their independence. Common methods include government-backed ownership changes, regulatory and financial pressure, gang and political threats, and public denunciations of honest journalists.


The threats to freedom of expression and democracy also come from misinformation and censorship. This serves as a violation of basic human rights

The freedom of the press remains an indispensable pillar of democracy, exposing injustice, empowering countless individuals with information, and making sure those in power are held accountable. Governments, societies, and individuals must work together to protect and uphold this fundamental right. Defending press freedom is not only the responsibility of journalists but also those who value a transparent, informed, and democratic society. Safeguarding freedom of the press ensures that democracy thrives and the voice of people remains unbridled and strong.



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