Yellow Journalism: Freedom of Press at a cost?

"There are no journalistic ethics that transcend the value of human life. There are none. In a situation where you can save a human life, you must. There isn't any conflict in my mind." -Sebastian Junger

What is Yellow Journalism?

Media is considered to be the ‘Fourth pillar of democracy', yet at times media houses strip themselves of any democratic values that would be expected in journalistic standards. It is no secret that there are certain media houses that ‘favour' certain political parties, with a level of dedication (derived from monetary incentives, allegedly), that make them stand by the political parties in every wrong, no matter how immoral it is. The sources are never revealed, the facts are not verified and it becomes a trending topic on twitter. Yellow journalism is term that one might not be aware of, but has definitely witnessed in their lifetime. Simply put, it is presenting of the news in such a manner to overhype just for the sake of making the news seem sensational. It's a scandal-hungry scavenger hunt. It's not dependant on the facts and truth, rather how fast the story can become a trending topic based on misinformation that can lead to a larger level of damage.

Role of India Media in current times, reflecting Yellow Journalism

Journalists have a way of playing with a common man's emotions, which can be very dangerous considering how Trial by Social Media is now a legitimate problem that we are dealing with in current times. Recently, the reporting of the death of a famous celebrity really showed the standards, or lack thereof. A number of claims were made in the news, without backing by any factual accuracy. The ‘Boi Locker Room' controversy is something that made waves, evoking the much needed conversations, but on a wrong footing. The reporting was such that it led to two separate cases being mingled in one, which had dire consequences. Another example that is very important to cite here is that of the live coverage of Taj Mumbai terror attack, which was at the cost of national security. The Wire had published an article against Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, which was alleged to be defamatory and a case was filed against them. The Supreme Court, while hearing the matter, commented on how "This is nothing short of yellow journalism...Freedom of press is supreme but it cannot be one-way traffic".

The reporting of the Palghar lynching by Arnab Goswami, is the perfect example of giving the news a communal angle without verifying the facts. There could be a separate article on the number of fake articles circulated about COVID-19. There was a news report by Republic TV in 2017 about Jama Masjid being in dark due to non-payment of electricity bills due upto 4 crores, without enquiring whether the mosque is lit at night or are the lights turned off. This report came out to be fake, when Alt news did a fact check. Instead of taking accountability, Republic TV quietly deleted its tweet and video. Aaj Tak had reported about "a Fatwa in Saudi Arabia that men can eat their wives if hungry", which had its origins from a satirical column published by Daily O, a website owned by India Today itself.

It was reported that Arundhanti Roy made a statement which said "70 lakh Indian soldiers cannot defeat Azadi gang in Kashmir". However, the source of this was from a non-existent interview, during a trip that never took place. However, it was enough to launch prime time debates on Republic TV and CNN News 18 attacking Roy. In one instance, Republic, Zee News, Times of India, Economic Times, Financial Express reported that "President Kovind gains 3 million new followers in an hour" when he was elected as India's 14th President. However, he had only inherited an already existing account of President Mukherjee, after his tweets were achieved. There are just few of the many, many instances of when the news made headlines without any fact checking.

Conclusion: Why is it important to curb such practices of Yellow Journalism?

Our constitution gives to every citizen the fundamental right of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a) and at the same time makes its use subject to the restrictions mentioned clause (2) thereof. It is a well settled law that "freedom of press" is implicit in "freedom of speech and expression" under Article 19(1)(a).

The principles and ethics enriched under Tthe Press Council of India's norms of journalistic conduct" state in the most simple terms standards that should be followed, which would in effect help in curbing yellow journalism. The Press Council of India has been established with the object of preserving freedom of press and of maintaining and improving the standards the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. To discharge these functions, the council framed the code of ethics. These include:

The Press should refrain themselves from publication of baseless, misleading, distorted material. Unverified facts/claims should not be reported as facts. They should aim at reporting the core issues or subjects in an honest manner. If they receive information about a report or article of public interest and benefit, which contain comments against a citizen, then the reporting of the same should be done with due care – and only with factual accuracy. Right of privacy has been recognised as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court, and it is of utmost importance that the media remembers that while reporting their news. The press shall not intrude or invade the privacy of any human unless it outweighs the consideration of public interest. The press should absolutely refrain from brining in a communal angel, unless it is in the interest of general public and on based of information that is 100% accurate. India is a secular country at heart, and they should not deviate from those core values just in the name of reporting something that is ‘breaking news'. Regarding the reporting of defamatory and libellous news, the council has very correctly stated that "Truth is no defence for publishing derogatory, scurrilous and defamatory material against a private citizen where no public interest is involved".

Being a journalist involves following of strict standards of ethics and moral code. A journalist could be a common man's saviour, by keeping that informed about things that they would not know otherwise. With the power to communicate with the country at large, a sense of responsibility also follows.

Yellow Journalism: A practice followed by Indian Media at what cost?

"There are no journalistic ethics that transcend the value of human life. There are none. In a situation where you can save a human life, you must. There isn't any conflict in my mind." -Sebastian Junger

• What is Yellow Journalism?

Media is considered to be the ‘Fourth pillar of democracy', yet at times media houses strip themselves of any democratic values that would be expected in journalistic standards. It is no secret that there are certain media houses that ‘favour' certain political parties, with a level of dedication (derived from monetary incentives, allegedly), that make them stand by the political parties in every wrong, no matter how immoral it is. The sources are never revealed, the facts are not verified and it becomes a trending topic on twitter. Yellow journalism is term that one might not be aware of, but has definitely witnessed in their lifetime. Simply put, it is presenting of the news in such a manner to overhype just for the sake of making the news seem sensational. It's a scandal-hungry scavenger hunt. It's not dependant on the facts and truth, rather how fast the story can become a trending topic based on misinformation that can lead to a larger level of damage.

• Role of India Media in current times, reflecting Yellow Journalism

Journalists have a way of playing with a common man's emotions, which can be very dangerous considering how Trial by Social Media is now a legitimate problem that we are dealing with in current times. Recently, the reporting of the death of a famous celebrity really showed the standards, or lack thereof. A number of claims were made in the news, without backing by any factual accuracy. The ‘Boi Locker Room' controversy is something that made waves, evoking the much needed conversations, but on a wrong footing. The reporting was such that it led to two separate cases being mingled in one, which had dire consequences. Another example that is very important to cite here is that of the live coverage of Taj Mumbai terror attack, which was at the cost of national security. The Wire had published an article against Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, which was alleged to be defamatory and a case was filed against them. The Supreme Court, while hearing the matter, commented on how "This is nothing short of yellow journalism...Freedom of press is supreme but it cannot be one-way traffic"[1].

The reporting of the Palghar lynching by Arnab Goswami, is the perfect example of giving the news a communal angle without verifying the facts. There could be a separate article on the number of fake articles circulated about COVID-19. There was a news report by Republic TV in 2017 about Jama Masjid being in dark due to non-payment of electricity bills due upto 4 crores, without enquiring whether the mosque is lit at night or are the lights turned off. This report came out to be fake, when Alt news did a fact check[2]. Instead of taking accountability, Republic TV quietly deleted its tweet and video. AajTak had reported about "a Fatwa in Saudi Arabia that men can eat their wives if hungry", which had its origins from a satirical column published by Daily O, a website owned by India Today itself[3].

It was reported that Arundhanti Roy made a statement which said "70 lakh Indian soldiers cannot defeat Azadi gang in Kashmir". However, the source of this was from a non-existent interview,during a trip that never took place. However, it was enough to launch prime time debates on Republic TV and CNN News 18 attacking Roy[4]. In one instance, Republic, Zee News, Times of India, Economic Times, Financial Express reported that "President Kovind gains 3 million new followers in an hour" when he was elected as India's 14th President. However, he had only inherited an already existing account of President Mukherjee, after his tweets were achieved[5]. There are just few of the many, many instances of when the news made headlines without any fact checking.

• Conclusion: Why is it important to curb such practices of Yellow Journalism?

Our constitution gives to every citizen the fundamental right of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a)[6] and at the same time makes its use subject to the restrictions mentioned clause (2)[7] thereof. It is a well settled law that "freedom of press" is implicit in "freedom of speech and expression" under Article 19(1)(a).

The principles and ethics enriched under the Press Council of India's "Norms of journalistic conduct" state in the most simple terms standards that should be followed, which would in effect help in curbing yellow journalism. The Press Council of India has been established with the object of preserving freedom of press and of maintaining and improving the standards the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. To discharge these functions, the council framed the code of ethics. These include[8]:

"The Press should refrain themselves from publication of baseless, misleading, distorted material. Unverified facts/claims should not be reported as facts. They should aim at reporting the core issues or subjects in an honest manner. If they receive information about a report or article of public interest and benefit, which contain comments against a citizen, then the reporting of the same should be done with due care – and only with factual accuracy. Right of privacy has been recognised as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court, and it is of utmost importance that the media remembers that while reporting their news. The press shall not intrude or invade the privacy of any human unless it outweighs the consideration of public interest. The press should absolutely refrain from brining in a communal angel, unless it is in the interest of general public and on based of information that is 100% accurate. India is a secular country at heart, and they should not deviate from those core values just in the name of reporting something that is ‘breaking news'. Regarding the reporting of defamatory and libellous news, the council has very correctly stated that "Truth is no defence for publishing derogatory, scurrilous and defamatory material against a private citizen where no public interest is involved".

Being a journalist involves following of strict standards of ethics and moral code. A journalist could be a common man's saviour, by keeping that informed about things that they would not know otherwise. With the power to communicate with the country at large, a sense of responsibility also follows.

• [1] "Yellow Journalism hurting institutions, maligning people", available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/yellow-journalism-hurting-institutions-maligning-people/articleshow/70867560.cms (last visited on 14th August 2020)
• [2] "Jama Masjid electricity bills non paymenet: Fake news starts on social media, Republic TV takes over", available at: https://www.altnews.in/jama-masjid-electricity-bills-non-payment-fake-news-starts-social-media-republic-tv-takes/ (Last visited on 14th August 2020)
• [3] "Saudi cleric issues fatwa allowing men to eat their wives if hungry? 4-year-old fake news revived", available at: https://www.altnews.in/saudi-cleric-issues-fatwa-allowing-men-to-eat-their-wives-if-hungry-4-year-old-fake-news-revived/ (last visited on 14th August 2020)
• [4] "How Fake News Triggered Republic TV, TV18, BJP MP's Attacks on Arundhati Roy", available at: https://thewire.in/media/paresh-rawal-arundhati-roy-fake-news-kashmir(last visited on 14th August 2020)
• [5] "Top 12 fake news stories circulated by mainstream media in 2017", available at: https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/01/02/fake-news-2017-aaj-tak-toi-zee-india-today-republic(last visited on 14th August 2020)
• [6] The Constitution of India, art.19(1)(a)
• [7] The Constitution of India, art. 19(2)
• [8] Press Council of India, "Norms of Journalistic Conduct", (2010), available at: http://presscouncil.nic.in/OldWebsite/NORMS-2010.pdf (last visited on 14th August 2020)