• Mr. ANAND C

Democracy is ‘government by public participation. Vox populi Vox Dei which loudly echoes as ‘Voice of the people-voice of God’. Media & Press have the power to reach out and directly influence the minds of average people. Democracy and Free-Press often should go hand-in -hand. Democracy thrives on the foundation of Journalism. Viewed as a savior of civil liberty, human dignity & rights, Journalism is often challenged by corporate-control of information, political influence, Idealogical leanings, media trials,TRP-orientations, media bias, & decline in Professional standards. This seriously chokes the lungs of already ‘asthamatic Democracy’ in countries like India. This article critically examines the ground realities, victims and scape-goat journalists’ desparate efforts saving Journalism in India. India’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index, signals an alarming deterioration of media independence This study is crucial since the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies. It also aims at having a relook at protective laws & their operational realities for the Journalists. This effort aims at focusing on issues & challenges engulfing Journalism, Press independence and aims at suggesting solutions for the better health of world’s largest democracy-India’s fourth pillar.

Free Press, Democracy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Journalism, World Press Freedom Index

"Choking Journalism Choking Democracy: Navigating the Perils of Journalism in Contemporary India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 12, page no.649-657, December-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1712273.pdf

"Choking Journalism Choking Democracy: Navigating the Perils of Journalism in Contemporary India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 12, page no. pp649-657, December-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1712273.pdf