Pandemic and a Free Press

Context: India had become a hotbed for the spread of COVID-19, with an estimated 90,000 daily infections, and over 5 million cases overall, second only to the United States. 

Importance of free press in a democracy

• Creates informed citizenry that is empowered to make decisions and hold its government accountable.
• It is the vehicle through which ideas are debated, policies are formulated, and conflicts are resolved

Challenges faced by the press

• Violent attacks against journalists: Journalists who report on government corruption are routinely murdered with impunity.-  A 2016 report entitled 'Dangerous Pursuits' by the Committee to Protect Journalists,
• Legal prosecution: particularly against journalists reporting on the conflict in Kashmir.
• Intensification of negative trends since the COVID-19 outbreak: journalists across the country facing attacks, harassment, and arrests

• Attempts to censor the content: Government asked the Supreme Court to impose nationwide censorship on the publication of information that the government deemed "false or inaccurate." 

Problems with the Press:

• A hotbed of misinformation: Recently, the government asked the Supreme Court to impose nationwide censorship on the publication of information that the government deemed "false or inaccurate."

Challenges to Democracies' credibility: 

• Failure in managing the pandemic: The rising cases in the democratic nations like the  United States, Indian and Brazil have weaned way the attraction of citizens towards democracy.

• The U.S., grappling with its own short comings and political dysfunction, has not effectively made the case that democracy is an asset and not a liability in fighting a public health emergency. 
• India has long been a leader and an example in the democratic world, but its response to the pandemic has weakened its position. 

• Commendable performance of China raising the credibility of authoritarian regimes: that have used a public health emergency to restrict civil liberties and increase State surveillance and control. 

Way Forward

• Combating misinformation with democratic tools: Government should combat misinformation through aggressive public information campaigns, not raw censorship.

• Presenting a clear and credible plan to the people for tackling COVID­19, and using persuasion, arguments, evidence and reason to rally their support.
• Unleashing the innovation and entrepreneurship of the Indian business community that has fuelled the country's rapid growth.
• Encouraging debate and competition of ideas that drive political solutions.

Conclusion: India's leaders need to express confidence in democratic principles and trust in the country's citizens. That starts with a commitment to a free press.