The Roles That English Language Newspaper Play in India - Essay Example

? The Roles that English Language Newspaper Play in India of In India, there are 15 languages recognized by the government as official. This separates the regions along linguistic lines and, therefore, there is need to unite the country along a common language. Anderson came up with a theory where he argued that print media serve to create a national language and foster nationalism. On the other hand, Harbermas postulated that print media enhance the ability of intelligent to debate public issues from an informed point of view. From the study, it is evident that English has helped foster nationalism in India. Moreover, newspapers have been an agent for social change helping bring land reforms and enhancing liberation struggle. Introduction In India, the English speaking population is estimated at 4 percent of the total figure (Hohenthal, n.d). Consequently, English is not categorized among the fifteen national languages used in India. According to Hohenthal (n.d), there was a provision in the Indian constitution which allowed English to be used as an official language until 1965 after which it would be replaced by Hindi. However, efforts to remove English as the official language faced much opposition from Dravidians in the south. Following much opposition, the government gave in and recognized English as the associate official language in India (Hohenthal, n.d). Additionally, English is used as the official language in four states: Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. However, English has not been fully accepted in India as political and nationalists pushing for Hindi to be recognized as the sole national language (Hohenthal, n.d). Despite this opposition and different reception of English in the society, its role in media is increasing (Hohenthal, n.d). English newspapers, magazines and journals are increasing in number. Hohenthal (n.d) writes that out over 19,000 newspapers were recognized in India; 18.7 percent were in English while 27.8 percent were in Hindi. This leads to debate on the role of the English language newspapers in India; yet the population speaking the language is insignificant in number and most of them are multilingual. In addition to informing the public, newspapers serve various roles, as discussed by Harbermas and Anderson. Harbermas explained that newspapers are important in public sphere to enhance rational debate while Anderson noted that newspapers serve a role of creating nationalism. Discussion In India, more than 107 million copies of newspapers circulate daily, making it one of the largest newspapers markets in the world (Krishna, 2011). It is further pointed that India accounts for over 20 percent of the global dailies. The English-language newspapers consumption is growing steadily, enjoying the biggest share from the print industry revenues (Krishna, 2011). A joint research conducted by KPMG in conjunction with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that demand for the English language newspapers is estimated to grow by 7 percent annually from 2011 to 2015 (Krishna, 2011). Some players in the industry have even decided to concentrate in distribution of the English newspapers in some states previously dominated by native language newspapers, such as Kerala (Print media set to "see a churn" in South Indian state, 2012). These statistics show that most Indians read newspapers which shows that they serve a certain purpose in the lives and to the society in general. Newspapers are part of the print media; understanding their role and development can be pegged from the theory developed by Benedict Anderson and Jurgen Harbermas (Jeffrey, 2009). According to Habermas, press is the most preeminent public sphere institution. Schudson (2003) asserted that print is important because it allows rational deliberation among intelligent citizens in the public sphere. From the point of view of Anderson, newspapers and other forms of printed media help create a common language (Jeffrey, 2009). Anderson further postulated that continued interaction with newspapers helps create a sense of nationalism since it is important to drive human history. In addition, Anderson proposed that uniting of print and economic growth offers the required thrust required for carrying common messages to a large population relentlessly thereby homogenizing languages and developing national languages. He recognized print as a vehicle which allows growth of nationhood emotions and practices (Schudson, 2003; Jeffery, 2009). Although Anderson and Habermas looked at varying aspects of human society, they both united in emphasizing on the crucial role that newspapers play in the society, concluding that print helps release social energies and psychic by breaking a person out of their traditional grouping in addition to offering a model for adding individuals consecutively into the circle of power (Jeffery, 2009). Based on the theories proposed by Harbermas and Anderson, one would argue on whether the English language helps create a unified society and forms a basis for grounded debate in the public in a country where the language is a privilege for the elite in the society (Hohenthal, n.d). One state in India, Kerala, the most literate region in the country having about 5.5 million English speaking people only, gets around ten percent of newspapers in English (Print media set to "see a churn" in South Indian state, 2012). Furthermore, majority of the audience reading English newspapers is mostly youths aged below 30 years. In light of the situation in Kerala, newspaper would facilitate rational discussions among intelligent citizens. This is true because the elite reading English newspapers would be able to argue based on facts that they can read out top their colleagues. Moreover, those persons able to read English newspapers would only be engaged in debating of public issues after reading the newspaper rather than based on what they have heard from others (Starr, 2004). For informed public debates to take place, Harbermas asserted that the participants must have prior access to newspapers or print media (Starr, 2004). However, in addition to enhancing the ability of intelligent citizen debate public issues from a rational perspective, newspapers written in English may have a role in creating social classes in the society. From one to participate in the debate, as explained by Harbermas, he or she must be intelligent and have the ability to read the newspapers. Consequently, persons who are able to competitively engage in arguments based on what they read from English newspapers would form one group while others outside this class will be excluded. In a state like Kerala having the most English literate persons, increased distribution of English newspapers would push the old and those who cannot read English to the periphery when discussing national issues and can brew discontentment. Based on Anderson’s theory, Indian newspapers written in English should play a role in creating a national language. According to Jeffery (2009), Anderson did not infer to a specific language per se but was referred to a sense of nationhood. He notes that newspapers have played this role effectively. Jeffrey (2009) explains that the social turbulence that rocked Kerala state in the 20th century enhanced development and spread of the print media. They played a role in the political mobilization during the Kerala liberation struggle of 1959. This was based on a Christian-owned newspaper which propagated ideas of change through peaceful ways thereby leading to change. Between 1969 and 1970, there were land reforms in India; it was successfully accomplished following protests carried in a Communist newspaper written in English. In accordance to ideas of Anderson that newspapers create nationalism, the English newspapers have been able to fulfil this role (Jeffrey, 2009). He explains that in a state like Kerala where they had a common language, a native language could not play a significant role in creating nationalisms. However, newspapers written in English have been able to meet this role by creating Indian nationalism. Jeffrey gives an example of English written Mathrubhumi: The National Daily Malayalam which he argues that it has been able to play a role performed previously in different regions by Indian newspapers. The newspaper has been able to offer a link to various regions within the country integrating ideas and structures to create a unified India. As discussed in the introduction, different people are usually opposed to use of English as an official language. However, based on the theory of Anderson, English written newspapers have a major role of ensuring that English is accepted by the population as their official language. Having 15 languages being recognized by the Indian government as official languages segregates the country into linguistic zones. Moreover, different states use varying languages and are, therefore, dividing the country across tribal lines. In light of this, a common language is needed to unite people. Given that English transverses across the tribal groups in India and no particular tribe can claim English to be their language, a sense of nationalism is created. In the present system, Southern states support use of English as an official language while the rest are opposed to its use. The English language newspapers will help harmonize the emotions across the country. According to the article Print media set to "see a churn" in South Indian state (2012), the English language newspapers are useful tools for national wide campaigns and in advertisement. Given that English does not discriminate tribes across linguistic lines, its usage serves as an effective tool when advertising. In addition, newspapers written in English provide supplementary materials for the young to learn the language. Students who read the English newspapers develop valuable knowledge of the language and build upon their present knowledge. According to Jeffrey (2009), print media can help add into the circle of leadership those who are able to read. This is the case in India and the world at large where those who can read and access certain print media form a social group of the elite who are able to ascend to power. English newspapers are a source of employment for a given population in the country. Given that demand for English newspapers is increasing the industry continually and requires more workforces, it creates more opportunities for the educated. According to Michelutti (2008), English newspapers serve to integrate foreigners into the country. He explains that visitors to India could feel left out if they are not able to access the news in a different language from the language of the natives. However, with increased printing of English newspapers, a visitor from an English speaking country can easily follow the news from this country. Moreover, they act as a basis for understanding the social cultural practices of the Indians. English newspapers must also be lauded for their contribution to the national economy. According to Ram (2000), India is one of the countries in the world having the highest number of newspapers distributed. This translates to a bigger revenue base for the government in terms of taxes and contribution to national economy through support services and raw materials required for printing newspapers. According to Michelutti (2008), as English newspapers are preferred by the young people in the country, they are used to pass social message intended for this group. He explains that newspapers written in English carry messages on current issues affecting youths in the society such as AIDS, drugs abuse and relationships. Youths reading such messages are, therefore, without having to carry out massive nationwide campaigns which are expensive. He asserts that English newspapers are agents for social change. Conclusion Indian English newspapers play a crucial role in the society ranging from economic, social and national cohesion. Based on the theory by Harbermas who explained that print plays a role of in public sphere, enhancing rational public debates among intelligent citizens, literate people in the country can read these newspapers and debate from a point of information. In rational debates which may drive social change in the society, participants argue based on facts and, therefore, such arguments are more compelling making the government to institute changes. In India, this was seen when a Christian newspaper was used for liberation struggle resulting in a peaceful transition. Moreover, a communist English newspaper was used to advocate for land reforms between 1969 and 1970 and given that the debate was carried out by intelligent citizens, the government gave in to the demands of the citizens. The other concept used to study role of print media in the society was developed by Anderson who observed that newspapers enhance nationalism by creating a national language. This has been witnessed in India where English newspapers are able to transverse linguistic lines of people in the country and unite them. Additionally, English newspapers companies are the significant source of employment for people in India and generate revenues for the government. English newspapers pass social messages to the youths and other members of the society enlightening them on current issues, such as drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. References Hohenthal, A. (n.d). English in India -- and Who Speaks English to Whom and When? Retrieved 5th April, 2012 from http://www.postcolonialweb.org/india/hohenthal/5.2.html> Jeffrey, R. (2009). Testing concepts about print, newspapers, and politics: Kerala, India, 1800-2009. Krishna, R. J. (2011, Jul 11). HT media scouting for Hindi, regional language newspapers. Wall Street Journal (Online), pp. n/a-n/a. Michelutti, L. (2008). The vernacularization of Democracy: Politics, Caste and Religion in India. New Delhi: Rutledge. Print media set to "see a churn" in South Indian state. (2012, Feb 01). BBC Monitoring South Asia, pp. n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/918899584?accountid=45049 Ram, N. (2000). The Great Indian Media Bazaar: Emerging Trends and Issues for the Future India: Another Millennium? New Delhi: Penguin Books India. Schudson, M. (2003). The Sociology of News. New York: W. W. Norton. Starr, P. (2004). The Creation of the Media: Political Origins of Modern Communications. New York: Basic Books. Read More