Media and transparency in governance

The media should watch and observe the activities of the state, and fearlessly expose exploitations of official authority. Media is a term referring to those organized means of dissemination of fact, opinion, entertainment, and other information through newspapers, magazines, films, radio, television, internet, books, CDs, DVDs, and all other forms of publishing. There are a number of challenges and opportunities faced by journalists as they attempt to hold governments accountable in an era of professed transparency. This can be easily experimented in other departments and may prove fruitful in improving delivery of various utility services. Election results indicate that Modi successfully used social media and has shown great determination to use it more in governance. Furthermore, transparency allows stakeholders to collect information that may be critical to uncovering abuses and defending their interests. The "fourth estate" in the world's largest democracy often emphasizes commercial considerations rather than search for the truth and holds accountable those in positions of power and authority. In 2003 Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd, publisher of The Times of India, started a paid content service to send journalists out to cover events for a fee. A 2010 report documents the phenomenon of “cash for news coverage” across the world and highlights different levels in which bribery can take place in the media at the interpersonal level. In terms of media ownership, there is a need for governments “to enforce strict transparency rules concerning the management, funding and ownership of media”.