The Role of Newspaper - English Essay with Quotes

The invention of printing is a truly great achievement in the history of human civilization. The modern age owes a lot of its advancement to printing. It has brought many blessings and one of these is newspaper. A newspaper at first was nothing more than a piece of paper which gave news. But now it has become a tremendous force all over the world.

The Influence of Newspapers or Power of Press Article free Download

The newspapers, as the voice of people, play a very important role in a country like Pakistan. They form an important link between the public and the government. It is only through the newspapers that the public comes to know about the policies and programmes of the government. Similarly, the government can keep itself well informed about grievances, problems, expectations and opinions of the public through the press. Newspapers also provide the people with news, views and comments about national, international and local affairs. They help in formation of public opinion on matters of national and global importance. The editorial and leading articles not only mould but also reflect public opinion. Then there are interviews of people and personalities who actually matter.

“Our fate is really in the hands of three great powers, namely science, finance and the press.” - John Galsworthy.

Newspapers are the real watchdogs of a democracy and of the rights and privileges of the people. Newspapers can also be very effective in bringing out desired social and cultural changes in society. They may be used as an instrument of national integrity, unity, harmony and solidarity. They can also be very effective in removing social evils, such as Superstitions, dowry, drug addiction, smoking, and casteism.

The power and influence of the press are really unlimited. But they can be misused as well. They are like double edged swords. In wrong hands, they may be used by anti-social elements to achieve their own selfish ends at the cost of national and social interests. They may give distorted views or false news. If confined in the hands of capitalists, they may be used to suppress and crush labour movements and anti-poverty campaigns. In dictatorship, the press is not free and the newspapers are used only to promote the interests of a few leading persons who remain around the dictator. Under such circumstances, they are no more the voice of the people but the mouthpiece of the despotic ruler. But in a democracy, a newspaper surely becomes a common mans representative.

“Without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.” - Albert Camus, Resistance, Rebellion and death.

As a friend, guide, counselor, educator, representative and voice of the people, a newspaper has to be impartial, truthful, sincere and fearless. It has to be a guardian and watchdog of the interests of the people. Newspapers should be free to criticise or encourage government policies and activities on merito. But everybody knows that freedom is meaningless without fairness. There should be no biased reporting, comments or expression of view. If they do not observe decency, fairness and impartiality, they can make themselves unpopular among the people of the country. In Pakistan, newspapers enjoy a fair amount of freedom of expression.

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press.” - Thomas Jefferson.

It is the duty of the editors, reporters and journalists to be fair, impartial, honest and constructive in their profession. It is only the yellow journalism that indulges in blackmailing and extortion of money. A journalist, loyal to his profession, will never exaggerate and distort his news. He will not betray the readers for personal gains, gifts and advantages. Yellow journalism is as great a danger to a nation and society as are the acts of smugglers mafias and other antisocial elements. An honest, fearless and frank newspaper is a perfect antidote for political corruption, favouritism, nepotism and blackmailing. The government and the people that run it cannot remain indifferent to criticism, comments and opinions expressed against them in the newspapers. So, press is an effective check on the wrong doings of men in power. Such people are always afraid of publicity, exposure and ridicule. The government would be less responsible, the judge less honest and the police less efficient if there is no newspaper to criticize their conduct. So, they are a great check on the misuse of power. They bring all the debateable questions of the day in the court of public opinion. In this way they serve a nation.

"A newspaper is a circulating library with high blood pressure." - Sir Henry Wotton.

Obviously, newspapers can play a vital role in the reconstruction and regeneration of a country. During our days of struggle for independence, the press played its important and constructive role. They played a very positive role in quickening the process of national struggle for freedom. Their bold writings had a great impact on the masses and consequently, they got actively involved in the movement. The press is also a very great force in the field of politics. It teaches citizens their rights and responsibilities and makes them fit for citizenship. It educates public opinion and teaches people how to vote. That is why the press means the freedom of people. In a country where there is no free press, the people are not free in the true sense of the word.

“The pen is mightier than sword.” - George Bulwer.

As a cheap and public educator, holding up the torch in the midst of is darkness, as a social reformer patiently reforming the abuses of a society and lastly as the champion of freedom in a country, the newspaper in modern times has come to exercise a tremendous influence on the public and the private life of man. There is no end to its potentiality for good if it can steer clear of greed, partiality, meanness and arrogance.

“Then hail to the press!
Chosen guardian of freedom!
Strong sword-aim of justice!
Bright sunbeam of truth!”
- Horace Gracel -