In the bustling newsroom of The Indian Express during the 1970s, an editor once deliberated whether to run a blank editorial page—a silent rebellion against censorship imposed during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. Decades later, in a digitally-driven era, Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat reached millions, bypassing traditional media entirely. These two moments capture the contrasting eras of media in India: the Gandhi-led Congress’s dominance and Modi’s transformative BJP era.
Idealism and Control: The Media in the Gandhi Era
At the dawn of India’s independence, the press stood tall as a beacon of accountability. Publications like The Hindu held Jawaharlal Nehru’s government to high standards, while Nehru himself championed press freedom, declaring, “I would rather have a completely free press with all the dangers involved than a suppressed or regulated press.”
But this liberal stance faltered under Indira Gandhi. The Emergency (1975-77) remains a grim chapter, with newspapers forced to submit content for approval. The Indian Express fought back with blank columns, but many publications capitulated, exposing the fragility of press freedom. Post-Emergency, investigative journalism regained momentum, bringing scandals like the Bofors arms deal to light during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure. Yet, the era’s reliance on state-run Doordarshan and urban-centric newspapers limited diverse narratives.
The Modi Era: A New Media Ecosystem
Fast-forward to 2014. Narendra Modi’s BJP, armed with an arsenal of digital tools, redefined political communication. Modi’s Twitter following skyrocketed past 90 million, while his flagship program, Mann Ki Baat, became a cultural phenomenon. Reports suggest it drew over 100 crore cumulative listeners, showcasing his ability to connect directly with citizens.
Unlike the Gandhi era’s centralized communication channels, the Modi government’s media strategy is decentralized yet highly controlled. Social media platforms—WhatsApp, YouTube, and Telegram—emerged as powerful tools to disseminate BJP narratives, often bypassing traditional media gatekeepers.
Media as a Battlefield: Patriotism or Propaganda?
A 2023 Reporters Without Borders report ranked India 161st in press freedom, highlighting attacks on journalists and an increasingly polarized media. Channels like Republic TV are accused of promoting pro-government narratives, while dissenting voices often face lawsuits or raids. Yet, BJP supporters argue that this reflects a shift toward “New India,” where traditional, left-leaning media elites no longer dominate.
Rahul Gandhi’s 2019 quip that “the media is a captive of the BJP’s machinery” underscored Congress’s struggle against an ecosystem perceived as overwhelmingly pro-government. Meanwhile, the BJP’s spokespersons insist that their media dominance mirrors popular sentiment, not coercion. “The public now decides the narrative,” a BJP official claimed, pointing to India’s dynamic digital discourse.
Digital Polarization: Opportunity and Challenge
Digital platforms have democratized communication but also enabled rampant misinformation. A 2020 Reuters Institute study found that 52% of Indians access news via WhatsApp, making it both a source of information and a hotbed for fake news. Fact-checking sites like Alt News have exposed thousands of false claims, but the sheer volume of content often outpaces such efforts.
Economic Pressures and Media Ownership
Government advertising has become a critical lever. Between 2014 and 2022, the BJP reportedly spent over ₹5,000 crore on promotions, ensuring favorable coverage. Additionally, corporate ownership of major outlets—Reliance’s Network18 and Adani’s NDTV—raises questions about editorial independence. Critics worry this consolidation turns the media into a government echo chamber.
Opposition’s Media Struggles
Congress’s disjointed media strategy has further hindered its ability to counter BJP narratives. While the BJP’s IT cell operates like a well-oiled machine, Congress has lagged behind in harnessing digital tools. Recent attempts to rejuvenate its online presence have shown promise but remain a far cry from the BJP’s dominance.
Public Trust and the Media’s Future
The media’s credibility is at a crossroads. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 61% of Indians believe the media holds the government accountable, down from 74% in 2013. Fake news remains a significant concern, particularly as digital platforms proliferate.
Conclusion: Shaping Democracy
The media’s trajectory from the Gandhi to the Modi era reflects India’s evolving democracy. While the Gandhi era showcased investigative rigor constrained by limited reach, Modi’s BJP leverages digital tools to scale narratives like never before. Yet, this transformation has come with challenges—polarization, misinformation, and economic pressures.
As India navigates its future, the media’s role as a watchdog, amplifier, or enabler will remain central. The stakes couldn’t be higher, for in the words of Indira Gandhi, “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” Whether the media chooses to question or conform will define its legacy in shaping India’s democracy.