Media in India: Democracy’s Watchdog or Power’s Megaphone?

Indian Media: Is It Spreading Biased Versions of Truth Or Providing Facts?

The media in India has long been called the “fourth pillar of democracy,” entrusted with the responsibility of questioning authority, amplifying people’s voices, and presenting the truth without distortion. However, in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged—news channels and publications often seem divided along political and corporate lines. Instead of acting as impartial watchdogs, many have turned into mouthpieces, offering biased versions of reality.

Bias in Indian media takes many forms: selective reporting, sensationalism, and framing issues to favor particular parties or ideologies.

Instead of focusing on ground realities—such as unemployment, education, rape and justice or healthcare—prime-time debates often thrive on polarisation, creating echo chambers rather than balanced dialogues. This shift is not only erodes public trust but also weakens the very foundation of democracy.

Yet, the blame does not lie with media houses alone. Viewership patterns, corporate funding, and political patronage/ threats influence what gets reported and how it is presented. In this system, truth becomes negotiable, and public discourse gets hijacked by narratives instead of facts.

Media-biased versions are not just distortions of truth—they are weapons that fracture society, silence justice, and turn the watchdog of democracy into a servant of power.

Do you agree? Or still have faith on Indian Media?

Media bias is a tricky subject, because the media is supposed to serve as a watchdog of democracy—informing the public, questioning authority, and presenting facts transparently. But too often, it slips into being a mouthpiece for vested interests.

What are your views on print and visual media reporting in India?

Please share your views---

Mainstream media atlst hindi ones are sold out.. irresponsible journalism and very soft towards politicians

I saw some conclave video in aaj tak last Sunday, it was with a baba the dude had commented previously on small clothes of women, how women should be married off by teens so that we can have less divorce rate etc. the anchor rightly grilled him, but at the end softened it saying babaji took his questioning sportingly. A self proclaimed baba followed by crores of people spewing off bs, who cares he gets offended or not even he has such disgusting mindset?

Also some so called prime time news show are just shouting matches you won't be able to hear anything properly..often a group hanging up on another representative there.

I found Bengali news channel abp ananda wayyy better than Hindi English news circus. The anchor there knows the history of politics in the state..he speaks nicely, don't let conversation get heated, no one shouts there much. And we can get productive conversation. Also he don't asslick any party.

Originally posted by: Phir_Mohabbat

Mainstream media atlst hindi ones are sold out.. irresponsible journalism and very soft towards politicians

I saw some conclave video in aaj tak last Sunday, it was with a baba the dude had commented previously on small clothes of women, how women should be married off by teens so that we can have less divorce rate etc. the anchor rightly grilled him, but at the end softened it saying babaji took his questioning sportingly. A self proclaimed baba followed by crores of people spewing off bs, who cares he gets offended or not even he has such disgusting mindset?

Also some so called prime time news show are just shouting matches you won't be able to hear anything properly..often a group hanging up on another representative there.

I found Bengali news channel abp ananda wayyy better than Hindi English news circus. The anchor there knows the history of politics in the state..he speaks nicely, don't let conversation get heated, no one shouts there much. And we can get productive conversation. Also he don't asslick any party.

Earlier, the Indian editor stood as the custodian of the citizen’s right to know—an indispensable institution in our democratic architecture. The editor commanded respect for intellect, instilled fear through unwavering integrity, and earned the trust of the viewer/reader through an allegiance to truth.

Today, that institution is in retreat, if not already in terminal decline. For years, the erosion of editorial authority and the slow collapse of media credibility were subjects of guarded conversation—in newsrooms, boardrooms, and drawing rooms. The recent India-Pakistan conflict cast a blinding light on what many had long feared: the transformation of Indian media from a guardian of democracy into a willing instrument of power.

The television coverage of the conflict wasn’t reportage—it was theatre. Prime-time debates turned into shouting matches. Newsrooms abandoned facts for frenzy. Anchors behaved like generals, issuing war cries instead of asking questions!! The editorial voice of reason was sadly missing. The crisis exposed the decadence that has crept into Indian media institutions, and an absolute decline of editorial responsibility.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Indian Media: Is It Spreading Biased Versions of Truth?

The media in India has long been called the “fourth pillar of democracy,” entrusted with the responsibility of questioning authority, amplifying people’s voices, and presenting the truth without distortion. However, in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged—news channels and publications often seem divided along political and corporate lines. Instead of acting as impartial watchdogs, many have turned into mouthpieces, offering biased versions of reality.

Bias in Indian media takes many forms: selective reporting, sensationalism, and framing issues to favor particular parties or ideologies.

Instead of focusing on ground realities—such as unemployment, education, rape and justice or healthcare—prime-time debates often thrive on polarisation, creating echo chambers rather than balanced dialogues. This shift is not only erodes public trust but also weakens the very foundation of democracy.

Yet, the blame does not lie with media houses alone. Viewership patterns, corporate funding, and political patronage/ threats influence what gets reported and how it is presented. In this system, truth becomes negotiable, and public discourse gets hijacked by narratives instead of facts.

Media-biased versions are not just distortions of truth—they are weapons that fracture society, silence justice, and turn the watchdog of democracy into a servant of power.

Do you agree? Or still have faith on Indian Media?

Completely agree. Media these days are all funding driven and even non political news are more of a drama shows than news too point. If an incident happens, in a half an hour report the real news which one is interested in will be just 5 minutes. The story telling is way too much.

Other disturbing thing is, for media these days only negative news is a news. I mean many good things happens in world and country as well, but we get very less happy news.

Watching news channel is becoming so depressing as you only get bad news to hear. Pain all around.

But as per you topic of polarization- that happens all over the world these days.

In US as well we have to major national news channels, explicitly divided between two national parties.

Awesome topic !!

The present day news sounds more like a soap opera than soap opera itself.

More drama, more catchy words and repeats the same content 100 times a day.

Everybody screams that their news is the real news as if we are deaf and dumb and don't know what they are trying to show in the name of news.

Cheers..

Originally posted by: Savera84

The present day news sounds more like a soap opera than soap opera itself.

More drama, more catchy words and repeats the same content 100 times a day.

Everybody screams that their news is the real news as if we are deaf and dumb and don't know what they are trying to show in the name of news.

Cheers..

Tv media amd it's anchors are just loudmouth of govt . They don't care about the country or people. Current situation of media is worst since independence.

Arnab ,sudhir, rubika , anjana ,Aman etcccc. These guys are biggest blot on the name of journalism and media.