Role Of Media During And After Emergenc
The Indian Mass Media System:
Before, During and After the National Emergency
I N D U B. S I N G H Rutgers University
Introduction:
The last few years have witnessedan unprecedented turn of events in the socio-political climate of India. These socio-political changes have brought about corresponding changes in the character of the Indian mass media system, especially in the freedomandindependenceof the
Indian press. In June, 1975, Indira Gandhi's government declared a state of emergency and suspended civil liberties. Immediately after this declaration, the government tightened its controls on the Indian mass media, especially o n the newspapers which had reputations of being free and lively.
In March of 1977, a new government, with Morarji Desai as the prime minister, took over the political power. During the campaign,
Desai and the other leaders of his coalition made pledges t o the electorate that they would restore civil liberties and freedom of the press as soon as they achieved leadership of the nation. And indeed, the general political climate of India changed when Desai's government acquired power; Desai and the others appear to have fulfilled their pledges of restoringpress freedom and counteracting the damage that was done to the mass media by Indlra Gandhi's g a w m m e n t . However, the real problems of the Indian mass media which stem from flaws in the rudimentary structure and philosophy, are far from being over.
This paper, therefore will deal with the following important aspects of the recent metamorphosis of the Indian mass media; Indira
This article was written before the recent Indian elections which swept
Mrs. Gandhi and the Congress Party back into power with a two-thirds majorit): in the 524-seat parliament.
Gandhi's methods of controlling the mass media and her concept ot mass media freedom in India: the efforts of the Desai government to restore mass media freedom; and problems of the India mass media system. Indira Gandhi and the Death
Before, During and After the National Emergency
I N D U B. S I N G H Rutgers University
Introduction:
The last few years have witnessedan unprecedented turn of events in the socio-political climate of India. These socio-political changes have brought about corresponding changes in the character of the Indian mass media system, especially in the freedomandindependenceof the
Indian press. In June, 1975, Indira Gandhi's government declared a state of emergency and suspended civil liberties. Immediately after this declaration, the government tightened its controls on the Indian mass media, especially o n the newspapers which had reputations of being free and lively.
In March of 1977, a new government, with Morarji Desai as the prime minister, took over the political power. During the campaign,
Desai and the other leaders of his coalition made pledges t o the electorate that they would restore civil liberties and freedom of the press as soon as they achieved leadership of the nation. And indeed, the general political climate of India changed when Desai's government acquired power; Desai and the others appear to have fulfilled their pledges of restoringpress freedom and counteracting the damage that was done to the mass media by Indlra Gandhi's g a w m m e n t . However, the real problems of the Indian mass media which stem from flaws in the rudimentary structure and philosophy, are far from being over.
This paper, therefore will deal with the following important aspects of the recent metamorphosis of the Indian mass media; Indira
This article was written before the recent Indian elections which swept
Mrs. Gandhi and the Congress Party back into power with a two-thirds majorit): in the 524-seat parliament.
Gandhi's methods of controlling the mass media and her concept ot mass media freedom in India: the efforts of the Desai government to restore mass media freedom; and problems of the India mass media system. Indira Gandhi and the Death