UNIT MEDIA AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Structure
Objectives
Introduction
Concept of Human Rights
U.N. Declaration of Human Rights
Human Rights Scenario World Over
Human Rights and the Indian Context
The Role of the Mass Media
4.6.1 The Electronic Media
4.6.2 The Print Media
4.6.3 The Film Medium
Let Us Sum Up
Check Your Progress: Model Answers

4.0 OBJECTIVES

The equation between the mass media and human rights is essentially symbiotic. By
their very existence, human rights ensure the freedom of speech and espression of the
I media. In turn, it is the responsibility of the media to ensure that everyone in society
enjoys the privilege of human rights. After reading this unit, you should be able to:
define the concept of human rights
briefly describe the origins of this concept
enlist the current liuman rights issues in our country
outline the general role of the newspapers, radio, television, cinema, video news
magazines and documentaries in projecting hwnan rights issues.

4.1 INTRODUCTION

In the praious unit, we read about the media and approach to co~~w~merism. We
defined co~isumeris~n and studied consumer laws and oolislinier rights. We discussed
the active involvenient of the media in guiding consumers to the right purchases. We
even studied how the media attempts to resolve consumer problenls.
In this. unit, we shall discuss the role of the media in reporting liuman rights issues.
We shall also see how the media can make people aware about various schemes and
programmes to improve their general living conditions.
The concern over human rights has taken on new dimensions in recent times. People
are more aware of their freedoms and rights now than ever before. Tliere is a general
will to implement these rights and make them meaningful in daily life.
Human rights have been legally granted to citizens of countries all over the world.
They pertain to tlie right to a decent life, protection from ill-health, and
unemployment and many other rights.
When addressing tlie human rights situation of a country, the ~iiediacan throw light
upon the actions and inactions of the administration. In all likelihood, such exposure
will alert everyone involved. This will result in creating a favourable human rights
scenario in the country.
We have come to the last unit of this block. In the next block we sliall take up the
issue of "Internatio~lal Communication".
Mass Mcdln and ,
Contemporary Soclnl Issues ~ c t i v i t y1
'
A student of Indian ~iationalityis refused a seat in a medical college in
Karnataka. The reasoli cited is that she has not been a resident of that state for
the stipulated number of years. However, the co~istitutionof India grants an
Indian citizen the right to reside in any part of the country.
Now, select three huiiian riglils of your choice. Then, give an instance each of
similar violation of an individual's rights.

S.No. The Human Right Its Violation

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1)
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4.2 CONCEPT OF FIURIIAN RIGHTS

The present concept of liu~iialiriglits took shape in the late 18th century. The
American Declaration of Indepe~~deiice in the Virginia Bill of Rights of 1776, the
French Declaration of tlie Rights of Man and the Citizen and tlie American Bill of
Rights were among the first cliarters of nations to include human rignts.
Human Rights may be defined as those privileges which can justifiably be claimed by
any person. Everyone is entitled to these rights. Any one can make fair claim to these
rights. For instance. there is the rig111 to dignity of living and the right against
discrimination on the basis of one's caste, class, creed, colour or nationality. We shall
deal with these in detail in aoother section.

4.3 U.N. DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The United Nations, U~liversalDeclaration of Hunian Rights was adopted 011 10th
December, 1948. It is the only ~ f i ~ id&ument
i~l of its kind, world wide, till date. It
proclaims economic, social and cultural rights in addition to political and civil rights
and freedoms for the people of tlic world. These rights are considered the foundation
of freedom, justice and peace in tlie world.
 Media and
Tlie pre:~iiibleto the Declaration quite rightly points out lliat co~llc~llpl
for human Human Rights
rights has resulted in barbarous acts. These have outraged the cotlscicnce of mankind.
It further proclainls lllat the freedom of speech and belief and frwdom from fear and
want are llie highest aspirations of tlie conlmon people.
The Unitcd Natiolrs reaffirmed their faith in the worth of hunlan bcillgs and in tlie
equal rigllts for nieli and women, through this declaration. They cspressed a
deter~nillaliolito prolnote social progress and better star~dardsof livi~lg.for llie large
majority of llle people.
The Declaration statcs that all are equal before tlie law and are erlritlcd lo equal
protection fro111 it. The right to work, to free choice of employ~ncnt.lo just and
favourable conditiolis of work and to protection against unemplo);rncnt are personal
rights granted by tliis declaration. Tlie riglit of ernployces to form a~idjoin trade
unions for the protcction of their interests is a freedom they posscss ;IS a group. There
is spacial eluphasis 011 the basic provision of the right lo a stand:lrd of living
adequate for tlie lieall11 and well being of individuals a ~ their
~ d f:irnilies. It includes
access lo food, clotlling, housing, medical care and ncccssary sociiil scrvice.
It is important to note tliat tliese rights are universally accepted. Ho\\.cver, a successfi~l
lnechallisln to enforce them is yet to bc developed. This is tlie rcaso~lfor tllc large-
scale inequalities alllong peoples of the world. Even williin a coulrl~y,inequalities on
the basis of caste, class; wealth, creed and gender exist. This is quik apparent in 1;dia
where the structure of the society is based on a rigid cask syslcm.
The United Nations has also adopted two International Cove~lallts(agrcements),
effective from 1976. These are the International Cove~lariton Ecor~orllic,Social and
Cultural h g h t s and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Notd : i) A~iswertlle following questions in one or two senlellccs cacll.

ii) Co~lipareyour answers with those give11at tlie end oftllis unit.

1) 'Health for all by 2000 A.D.' 'Complete literacy by 2000 A.D.' ;Ire oft repeated
slogans. Do they reflcct any concern for human rights ?
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2) "Dignity of labour'' implies that there is a certain rcspect i n pel-for~ningcven a
nieiiial task. Work of any kind is neither great nor small. W11;it does tlie right to
equality in dignity iniply ?
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3) A prisoner is repeatedly torturcd by prison officials to extract sollle inforrna-
tion. Do you consider this as any violation of humaa righls ? G i ~ reasons
e for
your answer.
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4) Several citizells of a particular community are arrcsted and kepi tinder deten-
tion. Tlie reasons given by tlie authorities is tliat ~heseindivitluals were
i~ldulgingin :inti llational activities. This statement, liowevcr. is not supported
by any proof. In wllat way are the citizens rigllts being curta~lcd?
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 5) We have the freedom to follow any religion of our choice. Is this human right
classified under cultural rights or civil rights ?
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4.4 HUMAN RIGHTS SCENARIO WORLD OVER

The mass influx of Bangladeshi refi~geesinto India, a coercive state machinery in

erstwhile USSR prcventi~~g its cilizens from following any religion, tlie violent
struggle against apartheid in the then South Africa, are just a few examples of the
deterioration of the human riglits situalion in diierent parts of the world. And such
conflict arises out of the dissatisf:iction of the people regarding the restrictions on
their human rights.

Human Rights \ n

A society's outlook on its human rights is affected by the nature of goveninlent,

among other things. I11 a comini~~list country, the niedia would be owned or controlled
by the state. Sucb a restriction on tlie media is in reality a tight hold on the freedom
of speech and expression. Tliis in turn results in curbing other hurnan rights of
citizens. It is only a free media that can campaign for the cause of rights and freedom
of the people.
The state may not always be right. The arbitrary use of state power has time and
again proved unpopular with tlle milsses. It is entrusted tilth the responsibility of
looking after the needs of the populi~tionand protecting their rights. Tliis power may
be misused by the administration. Therefore, voluntary agencies sonletiiiies play the
part of watchdog over the act~vitiesof the government. For their part the media report
issues on human rights and exa~iii~iethe state policy and progress in tlie field of
human rights.
Having read the above discussion, you might have assumed that under a liberal fornl
of government, there would be fcw or no restrictions on the media. 111 reality, the
media prefer to side svitli lhose i i i power, i.e., the adtninistration. It is espccially
apparent in case of any conflict bctween the powerful and powerless sectioni of
society, or between any two nations. This is because the media are agents of power,
They help to maintain a status quo in society. They back the elite and powerful
persons. Take for instance tlie U.S. bonibardment of Iraq. The world's capitalist media
never opposed the brutal show of power by America.
 Media slid
H u m u ~Rights
~

Important for Aids

For that nlatter, the same sectio~~of people continue to livc in po\,crl and starvation
for generations together. This is possible only because the media I~;r\~e implicity
nuintailled the status quo. They have not posed any u~ico~ilfonable questions to tlie
gover~ullent,at least at a sustai~~edlevel. You do not often hear o l . t l ~media in India
campaigni~~g for the rights of people belonging to the sclleduled ci~slcsand tribes. But
you do hear of the media taking a stand on the issue of reservation of jobs for the
scheduled castes and tribes. This stand, more often tlian not, is in frr\!onr of the elite
castes and classes.

Activity 2
At tlie time of elections, among the first things that political p;lnles proniise
their voters are better living co~iditionsand more job opportu~r~t~cs. In effect,
they ;Ire pro~iiisi~igus our l~unianrights. Collect the election III;IIII~CSIOSof four
major political parties, as released in the last elections. Make ;I IISI of all those
pro~iiiscs\vhiclr !.ou think pertain to ensuri~igof liunlan rigllis of the citizens.

4.5 HLTMAN RIGHTS AND THE INDIAN CONTEXT

Movl Mcdin and
Contemporary Sociul Issues The right to a decent standard or li\.ing and the right to employment, are just two of
the many rights granted by our constitution. Part IV of our collstitution grants
economic, social and cultural rigllls ro every Indian citizen. However, they are non-
justiciable. This means that a viol;lt~onof these rights cannot be sorted out In any
court of law. You will get more i~~forn~ation about our funda~nentalrights from the
unit on, Salient Features of the Indiat~Constitution, Unit 2. Block 5, Course 2.
It is to the credit of successivc govc~nments,at the centre and in the states, that
elections have been duly held. Our li~ndalne~ltal rights have been suspended on one
occasion only, i.e. during the En~crgcllcyof 1975-76. And, presently, the Prasar
Bharati Bill is being finalised so as lo make All India Radio and Doordarshan
autonomous bodies . All these inslauces are proof of a working democratic set up.
which favours the actual practice of human rights. It is hoped lhat freeing the media
from government hold will help ro create the right atmosphere for checking any
violation of human rights.
Now and then. the governnierit ;llletllpts to co~itroltlie press. But a11 atte~~ipts
by tlie
party in power to nluzzle the mcdi;~have been negaled.
There are various agencies to moni~ortlie llu~nanrights situatiun in different ways.
The government is answerable to illc state legislatures and tlle Parliament The
presence of opposition parlies is cnlcial to ally healthy democr;icy. The opposition
remains watchfill and, when neccssaty. pulls up the government for its misdeeds or for
the lack of initiative. Human rights org;lnizations arid institutions working in this area,
ensure that all sections of society gel their due rights. None is first among equals
before the law. The niass media, coupled with these agencies and organizations. can
ensure the implemelitation of tlle Iluman rights enshr~nedIn our constitution. The
mass media can generatc a strong public oplnlon about human rights Issues. They can
support the people and institutiotis wvorking in this area. They can very well provide a
strong network of co~ilmu~licatio~~s 10 llelp propagate an inforll~edopinion about
human rights. The media can at once be mediato~and leader, of the people by
chanlpioning the cause of human rights. However, they must take precautionary steps
in order not to be nlisled by son~cvested interests.
The role of the mass media in improving the human rights situation of a country
sl~allbe discussed in greater detail in the next section.

Check Your Progress 2

Note : i) Answer tlie followving questions in two sentences each.
ii) Co~llpareyour ans\vers with those at the end of this unit.

1 Tlie story of a fanlily of bol~dcdlabourers, working in a stone quarry. appears in

the local newspaper and local news bulletills on radio and television. What is
the significance of this news ile111?
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2) Advertisements of governnletll institutions announce a 'Special Drive for

Recruitment or SCs/STs'. In your opinion, why has such il drive to be put into
action ? What does this cotivcy to a reader ?
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3) The news t1l;lt even a mall of non-Brahmin origin is eligible to beconle a
tetilple priest, creates an uproar among the elite. Can you identify the reason for
 Media and
tlie uproar ? Wliose human right, according to you, was being~violated-the .. Hun~anRights
Brahmin temple priest or the newly appointed non- Brahmin priest ?
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Activity 3
There are millio~isof people 'in our country who suflcr froni liial~iutritionand
starvation. Although there are government schemes to providc better living
conditions to tlie poor, women, unemployed youth and others, such funds
silnply do not reach them. Scan the newspapers of a week for information of
such schenies and plans. Then, make list (at least 10) of these in the table
below. Tlie first one is filled in to help you along.

S.No. Schetne/Plan Year of li~i~nching

1) The tendu leaf policy for the beliefit of tribals 1989

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4.6 THE ROLE OF THE MASS MEDIA

In order to perforni their role effectively, the media personnel necd to be fully
conversant with tlie various aspects of human rights issi~es.They should arm
themselves with the necessary information and then present the facts and analyses
before tlie public. All this will have to be done at a sustained level. It is never
possible to bring about favourable changes with just one stroke of tlie pen, or an
infrequent programnie or two. The poor would continue to live io conditions of
insuff~cientfood, clothing and shelter and the rich would maintain a luxurious life
style, even after tliis information were conveyed to them. Instead, what could be
hoped for, is to ni'ake every citizen aware and conscious of their riglits and to enable
them to recognize a violation of human rights, when they come across such events in
daily life. The news media can then bring about and maintain a healthy Human
Rights Movement.
Traditional folk media like Tamasha and Burakatha, which co~iiniunicstewith their
audiences at a more personal level. can inform and i~ffluericetlieni. For this, the
communicators the~nselvesmust be knowledgeable about human riglits issues. They
can narrate instances of violation of human rights and relate them to the daily lives
of the masses.
 Activity 4
,
h e s t y International (AI) is a wvodd wide organization that monitors the
human rights situation in differen1 countries. A delegation representing A1
visited the troubled state of Janmiu and Kashmir, not so long ago. Their 'version
of events differs much from Ule official stand on the subject of gross violation
of human rights by Indian troops deployed there. Now, select three articles on
the Kashrnir problem from ally three different newspapers or magenes. Read
them and then tabulate your observations in the table below.

Article Pro-Indhii Pro-hGdiini~ Pro-Pakistan Pro-Terrorist Any other

Headline Government People Government stand stand
stand stand stand (Whichever

4.6.1 The Electronic Media

The electronic media traascend llrc barriers of literacy and enjoy a widespread reach.
However, these plus poias are 1101 taken advantage of, to the full extent possible.
Government ownership and lopsided programming are their major drawbacks. Firstly,
informative programmes need to be based on healthy debates and discussions and not
on propaganda and image-buildi~tgesercises of leaders, & is usually the case.
Secondly, only sensitive pcrsol~~relcall put across a point clearly and in a wholesome
perspective. Such. sensilivity can~rotbe found in people who equate a career in
communication to a mere 'job'. It ~leedsmore than a nle~hilllicillapproach to sensitize
the public to the egalitarian goals of equality, freedom and justice.
It is not in the fitness of tlungs to project an image that "all is well with the world",
when there are serious violations of human rights in different walks of life. The
electronic media have the potential to act as information disseminators. To &If11 this
role, they have to provide coniplete information to the audience. Tlte piecemeal
treatment of issues causes both co~fiisionand harm. Neither is ail informed public
opinion generated by taking this apyrcmch.
In general, there is inadequate coverage of human rights issues and problems. These
could be anything fro111 deprivation to gender inequality; from the health hazards
caused by environmental pollt~tionto malfunctioning of the electoral process.
An occasional prograirilnc by a producer may expose the abuses of the electoral
system or any other area. But st~chstories receive rare mention ill the daily news
bulletins, One 'cannot wislr away problems of such magnitude as those pertaining to
the neglect of human rights, by siinply ignoring their presence.
 hledla and
4.6.2 The ~ r i n t ; ~ e d i a Run~anRights

Quite naturally, the print media have literate audiences. Big industrial houses have a
monopoly over o\vnership of the press. This fact detemincs the nature of relations
between the press and the government. Newspapers openly take sidcs for or against
the policies of tlle government. For instance, the 'Indian Express' has 21 penchant for
writing against the government in power.
The nexus between the print media and the government is strel~gtllenedby a sort of
'give and take' policy. The press receives government patronage in terms of supply of
P
newsprint and advertisements in return for favourable write-ups aboul the government.
In such a situation, violations of human rights by the state are unlikely to surface.
The sanle is the case if the rights of workers in the press Indust~yitsclf were to be
violated.
C
Personal rapport with the government is limited to senior jour~mlists.It does not
extend to junior journ:rlists at the grassroots level. In OIIC such case, Gulam Rasool, a
fjeld reporter, was gunned down in a false encounter with the Aadl~r;~ Pradesh police.
While investigating t l ~ cissue of corrupt land-dealings. He w;rs app;rrcntly posing
u~lcomfofl:rblequcstions to those involved. This was reason enougll Ibr the authorities
to "liquidate" him.
Tlle regional la~lguagcpress obtains scarce attention in co~npetitio~l \\.it11 major
national dailies. Few individuals attenlpt to start a newsllnper or magazine at a local
level, because of the large amounts of investment and t l ~ ctcch~iology involved.
Consequently, the first casualties are the freedom of the ~lrcssaod tllc standard of
journali~m.
To its credit, investigative journalism has probed human rights issues like the working
conditions providcd to child labourers, the torture behind prison bars and illegal
"encounter * * deaths.

4.6.3 The Film Medium

Socially relevant and purposefbl issues enrich the cinematic valuc of any film.
Themes like the caste system, subjugatioll of women, rural poverty and the feudal
system, all of which are concerned with the area of llulni~~l
rights, havc been dealt
with time and again. Let us trace some la~ldnlarksin 1ndi;rn C i ~ l c ~ which
~ l a have
sought to solve the problems prevailing in society.
"Chandidas" ( 1932 ) by Debaki Bose under the banner of the Ncw Theaters and
"Acchyut Kanya" ( 1936 ) by the Bombay Talkies carricd a crusade against
untouchability. The film "Sawakari Pash" (The Indian Shylock or tllc trappings of a
money-lender ) made in 1925 by Baburao Painter of the Maharashtra~Film Company.
was a shocking exposure of the exploitation of the poor peasants by unscrupulous
money lenders. 'Jiban Maran' (1939 ) also from the New Theatres, dwelt on the social
rel~abilitationof the patients of tuberculosis, considered aa infectious and deadly
disease in the thirties. The Prabhat Film Company madc a nunlbcr of socially
purposefill films like "Duniya Na Mane" (1937 ) which voiced a strong protest against
the marriage of young girls to old men. The film "Padosi" (1938) by V. Shantaram
idealised Hindu Muslim brotherhood even in the days of ~l~ou~lting communal
tension. "Dharti Ke Lal" (K.A. Abbas ) and "Neecha Nagar" (Chetan Anand) in the
late Forties struck a note of idealistic social conscious~~ess.In h c ~ "Neecha
, Nagar"
earned international acclaim and is probably the first fill11 to bring to focus the
problenls of environ~l~ental pollution. The Fifties marked the origin of socially
relevant filnls in rural setting like "Do Bigha Zameen" (Bi~nalRoy) and "Mother
India" ( Mehboob Khan ). The Fifties also saw the enlergc~~ce or Satyajit Ray, Ritwik
Ghatak and Mriltll Sen. With the making of "Pather Panchali (1055). the Indian filln
scene undenvent a qualitative change.
But it was only after "Bhuban Shonle" (1969) by Mrinal Sen th;it a New Wave or
Parallel Cinema Movement, gathered momentum. Sucli reillistic filn~sas Basu
Chatterjee's "Sara Akaash" (1979), Moni Kaul's "Uski Roti" (1969), Ku~narSahani's
"Maya Darpan" (1972), Avtar Kaul's "27 Down" (1973), Girish Kanlad's "Kadu" (the
.-
hlaS.9 M t d h .and
Conten~porury Social Issues forest, 1973) and M.S Sathyu's gar an^ Hawa" (1973), were made on shoe-string
budgets. A more traditional path was followed by Sl~yamBenegal whose films
(Ankur, 1974, Nishant, 1975, M ~ I I I ~ ~1976
I ~ I I )I ,have been relatively realistic in form
and deeply committed to socio-poli~ical themes.
By the Eighties, a new generati011of filnl makers was setting a new trend. They began
to use the medium to focus a t t e ~ ~ on~ i grave
o ~ ~ socio-economic issues and raised
questions against social injusticc ;1nc1atrocities, with passion and compassion. They
have been described as "filn~aclivilics", who treat cinema as a pulpit. Tlle trend
started yith Anand Palwardhan, l'apan Bose and Sullashini Mulay (of Bhuban Shome
fame). Patwardhan's "Hamara S ~ I ~ I ~a Stelling
." social commentary on the life in the
slums of Bombay, orered a refrcslling contrast to Inany con~mercialfilnls dealing
with the same theme. At great risk lo his life and equipment, Tapan Bose made a
shocking esposure about tlle Bhagalpur~scandal-the blinding of prisoners by the
police authorities. Bose also procluccd ill1 outstanding film, "Beyond genocide", on
tlle Bhopal gas tragedy and its alicr~l~alh. The "Voice of Baliapal" by Vasudha Joslli
and Ranjan Palit articulated the n~uteespression and protests of evicted villagers in
an Orissa village.
Tlle filnl ~nediu~n has the potenli;rl to portray the ills which all society, frequently in
the narrative format. This is ho\\ lil~nssenle the cause of human rights and ensure
their just inlplenle~ltationin socicly,

Check Your Progress 3

Note : ' i) Answer the followiag questions in two or three sentences.
ii) Compare your answers with those given at the and of this unit.
\
I) Recall the last fill11 YOU saw. Did it question any kind of irregularity between
people ? List five kinds 01' inequalities existing in our society, which were
protrayed on tlle big screcn.
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2) What determines wlletllcr or j~otthe lllilss media shall address hunlan rights
issues in their proper and \\.lrolcson~eperspective ? Cornpare an Indian
Newsreel doci~~nc~~tary wilh one produced by a private agency. i

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3) List three ways in which the lncdia can improve our human rights situation.
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4.7 LET US SUM UP

In this unit, we have sludicd tllc concept of lluman rights and seen their importance
in the daily lives of the masses.
There are several agc~lciesand groul~s.like the "Civil Liberties Group", which work in
the area of human rights. They act as watchdogs of the govenlnlent in its eflorts to
implement human rights and to impro~ethc quality of life of the people. They seek
to keep in check any kind of viola~ionof hil~llanrights.
 M e d l r and
The electronic media are not particularly incl~nedto investigate 1nm.n rights liun~mRights
problems. This lnay be attributed to their being owned by the got/ern~nent.
Many films have been made on the theme of violation of human rights. They have
portrayed sensitive issues in a symbolic, narrative or other fornlal
The media help to fi~lfilthe need for nurturing an infonncd public opinion. They are
indispensable for the correct implementation of human riglits.

4.8 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS : MODEL ANSWERS

t

Check Your Progress 1

1) They are related to the basic hu~nanrights of all citize~ls Hcre. specific
reference is being made to social and cultural rights: thc riglits to health
and education.
2) The human right which grants equality in dignity i~nplicsth;it all citizens
have an equal right to a decent and dignified st;indard of living.
3) There definitely is a violation of the citizen's riglit togrohibilion of
torture. Everyone has the right to keep informatio~isecrcl so long as harm
is not caused in not revealing this information.
4) The arrest and detention of these citizens amounfs to arbitrary and illegal,
police action Adequate proof must be given to v;ilidate the police action.
It has not been done here.
5) It is a civil right. The Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and
Religion appears in the Covenant on Civil and Pol~licalRights.
i
Check Your Progress 2
1) It is very 111i1c1ia human rights issue, Slavery is il1cg;iI. Tllc 'bonded'
labourers are slaving away because they are una\\;lre of llieir right to
liberty. They are undcr the impression that their work will piiy off the
"loans" supposedly taken by their ancestors fro111 tlie qunrol owner.
2) One can gather that in token recognition of the oppressio~ior SCs and STs
for centuries by the so-called higher castes, the gover~l~lle~it
is now m'aking
a nominal concession to these seclions of the populace. Tlleir human right
to equality is being given a much needed fillip by tlie government. The
autllorities are trying to make amends for the i~ijuslicenleted to the SCs
and STs.
3) Tlle traditional concept of the superiority of Brahmins has been shattered.
For thousands of years, Dalits were not allowed lo even e~itcrthe precincts I
of a temple. This sudden legal sanction, pernlilling a non-Brahmin to
cllant prayers before the deity is by way of iniplementiag tlie "right to
equality". Earlier, the non-Brahmin priest was never gra~ilcdthis particular
right. Dalils were categorised as non-persons.
Check Your Progress 3
1) Discrimination on the basis of Caste and Class, Creed , Wealth, Education
and Gender esist in Indian society.
2) Tlle ownersllip of the media. If the medium is u~iderthe government, then
atrocities conlmitted by the state receive scant rucntioe. Private ownership
is a little better but, if an intimate relationsliip csisls bct\veen the privately
owned mcdia and the government, then it is likely that ii slanted view of
the human riglits situation will be presented.
3) The media can improve the present rights siluatio~iin cerlaili ways.
i) Fearless, free and fair presentadon of h r ~ ~ ~rights
~ a r l lopics be they
political, economic or social in nature.
ii) Sustained reporting of issues -nd problenis on the 1li11na11rights front.
iii) Working in tandem with human rights orga~~izations
and groups in
the area of human rights.