Media Influence and Independent Journalism

Television's ability to connect people across geographical boundaries through satellite and cable broadcasts, bringing global news and entertainment to viewers.

Media outlets, like television channels and newspapers, often operate as part of large corporations due to the high costs associated with technology, equipment, and staffing.

Media that operates without any external influence or control, ensuring its news coverage is unbiased and reliable. It provides information for citizens to make informed decisions.

Media that focuses on local issues and concerns impacting ordinary people's lives. It's often started by local communities and uses accessible technologies.

The use of community radio to provide farmers with information about crop prices, seed usage, and fertilizer application.

Using inexpensive video cameras to document real-life situations faced by impoverished communities.

The use of video cameras by underprivileged communities to create their own films about their lives and struggles.

Khabar Lahriya is an example of local media, a newspaper focused on local issues.

The technologies that mass media uses keep changing and so a lot of money is spent on getting the latest technology. The TV studio in which the newsreader sits has lights, cameras, sound recorders, transmission satellites etc. All of these cost a lot of money. One thing more, it is not only the newsreader who needs to be paid but also a number of other people who help put the broadcast together. Due to these costs, mass media needs a great deal of money to do its various works. As a result, most television channels and newspapers are part of big business houses.

An independent media means that no one should control and influence its coverage of news. No one should tell the media what can be included and what should not be included in a news story. It means that the media should not be under any one’s pressure. It will be totally independent. An independent media is very important because it is on the basis of the information that the media provides that we take action as citizens. Hence, it essential that this information is reliable. It should be biased at all.