Importance Of Press In Democracy

The press is the most important organ of a democratic set up. It is regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy. Democracy without the free movement of the press is unsustainable. No one can undermine the importance of press in democracy. Press stands as one of the great interpreters between the Government and the people.

Press is the voice of the people in democratic set up. Press plays an important role in bringing forward the real picture of the society to the common people. They raise voices against any anti-social practices such as dowry system, sati, child-labour, etc. In this way, malpractices prevailing in the society are checked and stopped. First of all, it offers us a lot of news about the day-to-day happenings of the world. Thus it keeps us always alive to the goings on of the globe. In countries where democracy prevails, freedom of the press is preserved and thus helps the individual considerably to frame his own judgments about issues. It also makes the Government, aware of the lapses or shortcomings of its aims and achievements.

The word press is generally used to denote ‘printing press’ and include print media like newspapers, journals, magazine, periodicals, pamphlets, leaflets, books or any other printed material like handbills, documents etc. even news agencies, press syndicates and feature agencies. This is the older definition of press but if we look into the present scenario the word “Press” has a wide connotation and inclusion of electronic media and