Role Of Media In Promoting Social Harmony

Media is the fourth pillar of democracy which has the ability and responsibility to hold those in power accountable. Media is an institution which has the potential to influence and shape thoughts and actions of millions of people. In the 21^st century knowledge-society, media plays the role of facilitator of development, disseminator of information, and an agent of change.

• Mass media and social media are the new forms of media in a modern society. Media has made the societal interactions more complex, enabled gradual social change & technological innovation and has led to the decline of traditional forms of control and authority. Media plays an important role in promoting social harmony in times of communal tension, polarization, preventing hate mongering and creating an amicable environment in times of social conflicts.

Role of Media in times of Social Disharmony

There have been increasing instances of polarization on multiple axes such as religion, ideology, caste, and ethnicity. India has witnessed several riots, state border conflicts, rising instances of intolerance, political violence, etc. Technological changes in the media, particularly in the past decade, have also inflamed polarization.

• Media plays an important role in promoting social harmony in the society.It is a potent and effective medium of promoting harmony and preventing disharmony due to its wide reach and ability to mobilize public opinion.
• Communal disharmony is often fuelled by fear, suspicion and hatred, which is transmitted through the media. But the same channels can be used to instill a sense of confidence, trust and security among the people. There is a greater moral responsibility on the media to build national solidarity and to strengthen communal harmony at all levels similar to the role played by it during the freedom struggle.
• Media and journalists should strive to imbibe a sense of national identity by merging religious, linguistic and regional identities, while respecting all identities and cultures. Writing of journalists and columnists are reflection of the feelings and sentiments of the society at large. It is of utmost importance that they pen their views with restrain and caution.
• The media often uses communally charged, sensational and provocative headlines which have the tendency to aggravate tensions, and provocate feelings. It must be ensured that the views and analysis of journalists and editors is free from any personal preference, prejudices or notions, and they are based on verified and accurate facts. It should not promote a feeling of disdain for each other and work on the philosophy of ‘Catch them young’ to promote communal harmony by organizing competitions, talks, seminars on communal harmony among the school students.
• One of the duties of media is also to bring forth to the public notice the plight of victims of communal tension. Through it has highlighted the maladies of communalism and suffering of communities as a result of communal hatred through the use of pictures, documentaries, articles, books, cartoons and other such interactive publications, but it has not been given wide publicity due to constraints of language and region.
• In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being.”