Role of Journalism and Media During the Crisis of the Coronavirus Pandemic in India: A Review

Abstract

The COVID-19, alias coronavirus, has spread to the majority of the countries, areas, and territories in the world. Coronavirus has become a worldwide phenomenon. World Health Organization (WHO) announced this outbreak as a pandemic on 11th March, 2020. The outbreak of coronavirus has created havoc across the world. It has caused severe damage ranging from several lakhs of deaths to economic devastation and leading lockdowns in many countries that have a significant impact on our lifestyles. The rate of infection has increased, but safety and precautionary measures have been taken to fight against this infectious disease to spread across the globe. It includes social distancing, wearing masks and sanitization. The unrest, pessimism, and frustration are spreading day by day. In this time of crisis, the media have to face an examination. The society expects that the coverage of media should be responsible and responsive. While a large section of the media, especially corporate-owned has showed deviation from the role of social responsibility, a small section is maintaining the expected ethics of journalism, which shows its courage. In this prevailing situation, journalists, and media have crucial roles in democratic structure. However, corporate media rely on commercialization and profit. Lack of adequate public health infrastructure, dillydallying in treatment has been ventilated by the media 304coverage. These issues claim serious investigation and review, but the large section of the mainstream media excepting some has forgotten its role. The central government and various state governments emphasized on social distancing, wearing of masks and usage of sanitizers to fight against the infection. Critics are of opinion that the self-quarantine and isolation have caused a negative impact in the psychology of the common mass. Since we have not adequate information about the novel coronavirus, it is important and significant to cater true news and information collected from trusted and reliable sources. It is not easy to gather the latest and updated information and statistics of the spread of the dangerous Virus during the unprecedented situation caused by the Corona pandemic. Various media have been and are used to aware the common public to obey the rules of quarantine and to decrease the tension among the common mass. The COVID-19 pandemic can be considered as a unique case as far as the role of journalism and media sector in India is concerned. The medical misinformation has continuously spread over mass media platforms at a breakneck speed. The quantum of fake news and misinformation had so negative impact on the mind of individual and the society that its harmful impact has been agreed from all corners of the society. The fake news, false information, gossip have created hindrance in the entire process of news and communication and have increased tension and anxiety among the mass. Due to the fast dissemination of information through social networking sites, the major drawback of it is that it has been applied to cater false news and information. After the appearance of various social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, the dissemination of information in this prevailing time of crisis has enhanced worldwide. These social networking sites provide a domain for exchanging reactions and feedbacks which may have a negative impact during an emergency situation like the existing Corona pandemic. Fake News and false information on the Corona pandemic are spreading with an accelerating pace through the online and new media, creating a change in the behavior of the common people during this emergency situation. These fake news and false information urgently need serious attention and introspection for ensuring community awareness, quick response and prompt decision making. This chapter has examined whether the autonomy of journalism has been maintained in this crisis situation. Within this framework, what was the role of different mass media on the individual and social life as far as the effective health communication is concerned. What were their role for taking preventive measures and combating the spread of false information, maintaining physical distancing, reduction of prejudice, discrimination, and 305inequalities caused due to fake news or misinformation? Do media provide a way for misinformation and how it affects the private domain of individuals? How fake news impact the largest democracy in the world? Does fake news put forward acute problem on the psychology of people? If so, how? It is essential to look into how the media have catered every minute updates to crores of citizens during this situation of pandemic. This chapter has followed the observational and analytical method to investigate the role of journalism and media during the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic in India. The country has seen significant growth and development in the domain of media during the last three decades, and the indigenous media market has considered one of the biggest in the world. Globalization and neo-liberalization have also shaped it. Maximization of profit, commercialization, and commoditization has appeared as its main characters. What will be the role of mass media and the journalists during this prevailing crisis situation? The role of capitalism, the market, and the media has to be assessed. Will this pandemic radically change the role of the media and the journalists? Will the country see the increased efforts of building social responsibility among the temptation of finance capital and profit maximization? Indian media and the journalists need to introspect their respective stands in the context of these significant and serious questions and issues. Media have vital influence over people during the present coronavirus pandemic, so all information should be more transparent and authentic, which is of paramount importance in this crisis. Fake news and misinformation can fill in the void if genuine and trusted information fail to appear in time to the target audience of the mass media. As a consequence, it can lead to hazardous effects. The news and information catered by various media have an influence on the mind of the prospective target audience, so it should be presented with utmost care and sincerity after repeated rechecking and cross-checking because single misinformation that gain attention can negate the importance of correct information and can pose a serious challenge about the credibility and trustworthiness of the media. It is vital to consider that in such a time of crisis, the news media should respond with responsibility and social accountability. The media should disseminate reliable information to the mass during this existing pandemic situation. The mass and social media have been flooded with news, data, statistics, and information during the pandemic situation. A considerable amount of information is catered to aware the general public regarding the nature of the COVID-19. On the other hand, false information about the COVID-19 and its medical treatment are 306increasing anxiety, tension, and common people’s fear psychosis. Media should introspect that whether it have been able in teaching and increasing awareness among the people and reducing anxiety, tension, fear, and panic.