Position Paper 1 - News and Information
Hannah Diffee
Professor Reppert
International Mass Media
Sept. 2023
Position Paper 1 - News and Information
As one can imagine, news sources vary across the world. A country's geographic location, demographics, economic concerns, and social issues impact the type of news reported in a country. With the rise of the internet, many international news sources have transitioned to online formats. India is one such country with a significant digital news presence.
As of June 2023, India is the world's most populated country, with an estimated population of 1.4 billion people. India is a federal parliamentary republic, which means that it has both a president and a prime minister. In 1757, the country fell under British rule and did not gain independence until 1947.
Freedom of Speech in India
Under the Constitution of India, individuals are guaranteed the right to freedom of speech and expression - though there are some limitations. The following article from India's constitution states that the government can limit individuals' freedom of expression to protect the country's sovereignty, security, and public order.
In 2021, the BBC reported that India is now only a "partly free" nation. Civil liberties in the country have reportedly declined since 2014 when Narendra Modi was elected prime minister. As prime minister, Modi serves as the Chief of Government and leader of the political party with majority representation in Parliament. His government has tried to increase economic growth but has been hindered by the country's weak infrastructure, according to the BTI Transformation Index. Any criticism against Hindu nationalist groups is silenced, and this censorship extends to the press as well.
In India, journalists critical of the government are often physically harmed, arrested, or detained. Women in media often have fewer professional opportunities than men. According to Reporters Without Borders, mainly only Hindu men from upper castes hold high-ranking positions in journalism and media companies. India ranks 161/180 on RWB's World Press Freedom Index. The country has dropped 19 spots on the Index since 2021. In 2022, it was ranked 150th on the list.
The Times of India
In 2016, the World Association of News Publishers listed The Times of India as one of the most widely circulated newspapers in the world. Also known as TOI, the newspaper published its first edition on November 3, 1838, establishing itself as the first English-language newspaper in India. The newspaper is owned by The Times Group, a media conglomerate that owns several television channels, radio stations, and magazines. According to the Media Bias Fact Check, TOI has a right-center bias and often uses loaded words to favor conservative causes.
The newspaper's website has both an Indian edition and a U.S. edition. Many articles on its homepage are similar to ones found in most other international news outlets. One trending article at the moment is Sam Bankman-Fried's father, ex-Trump staffer among possible trial witnesses which discusses the jury selection of Sam Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency embezzling trial. One possible witness for the jury is Fried's father, who was a former Trump staffer. This article appears to be from Reuters, a London-based news agency. Another trending article is China’s 'disappearing' generals: Why Xi Jinping doesn’t trust his own military about the mysterious disappearance of China's Defense Minister, Li Shangfu.
A yearly subscription to the newspaper costs $29.99 and gives you access to 300+ exclusive stories each month and six weekly newsletters, including Health+ and Gender+. The site also promotes the complimentary subscriptions it offers.
Some featured topics in The Times are the ICC Cricket World Cup, The 2023 Asian Games, and the G20 Summit, a meeting of leaders of the world's 20 big economies. The following is an image of the site's navigation bar:
India-Canada Conflict
As of September 2023, much of the news in The Times involves India's strained diplomatic relations with Canada. In June of this year, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, recently announced that there was "credible" information linking the Indian government to Nijjar's killing. India has vehemently denied these allegations.
According to The Guardian, Canada is home to one of the largest Indian communities and the highest population of Sikhs outside of Punjab. Nijjar was wanted by the Indian government and seen as a terrorist. He advocated for the creation of an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan, carved out of the Punjab region of India. The Khalistan movement began in India in the 1930s, when British rule was nearing its end. It gained traction in the 70s and 80s but later died down. However, in recent years, the movement has regained its popularity.
As a result of Nijjar's killing, India has suspended the issuance of new visas to Canada. Canada has also reportedly discouraged students from traveling to India for higher education.
Indian reporting on the conflict is at variance with Canada's reporting of the issue. The following video shows India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, rebuting Trudeau's allegations.
Making News More Accessible
In addition to its website, The Times of India has a notable social media presence. It also has an app available on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
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