The Pros and Cons of New Media and Media Freedom

Research Article Open Access

Vineet Kaul

Department of Communication and Media, DA-IICT University, Near Indroda, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

In Asian countries media freedom is a controversial issue, on one side, right to information and freedom of expression is provided for, on the other side media regulations and press laws are ready to curb the media freedom. New media often get involved in struggles for new freedoms. This article aims to discuss issues of new media in the governance of freedom of press.

The Internet is an indispensable source of information today. At the same time, the freedom of new media – like other media – is dynamically related to the overall societal context as regards press freedom dispensations. Old and new media realms do have different issues, and there are particular matters for developing countries. But there is also much in common between old and new media, and between developing and developed countries, and all have interdependent interests in a free environment for journalism. With the creation of various types of new media, the Internet has become the broadest gateway and platform of spatial knowledge to interaction, and even turns to be the formation of a far and wide public field. The emergence of new media which breaks the original concept and rules of traditional media communication makes expression of freedom of the press more influential. There are brand new challenges to media freedom. The Internet, social media and blog posts – these are among the tools being used so creatively, especially by the vanguard of young people, to help spur change in their societies.

Press organisations are vibrant and restive institutions which provide platforms for power negotiations in the public space. They set the stage for public discourse on popular issues and enjoy wide readership. The principal features of press organisations include critical independence, democratic constructiveness and commercial viability. The state’s fear of the power of press organisations and their immense contributions to the defence of fundamental human rights often serves as justification for censorship. Although freedom of the press is guaranteed in the First Amendment, to what extent that right is protected has been battled in court and debated in public opinion for more than 200 years.