When the Fourth Pillar Becomes the Lever: Media’s Role in Undermining Democratic Independence

 When the Fourth Pillar Becomes the Lever: Media’s Role in Undermining Democratic Independence  

By Parminder Singh Bhamba 

India’s democracy was built on four foundational pillars: the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Media. Each was intended to function autonomously, creating a system of checks and balances that safeguards the public interest. Yet today, this architecture is being reshaped—not through reform, but through influence. The media, once the vigilant watchdog of democracy, has transformed into a lever that tilts the remaining pillars toward the convenience of those in power. This shift is neither accidental nor benign; it is strategic, systemic, and deeply consequential.

The Legislature, envisioned as a forum for debate and representation, now operates under increasing executive pressure. Parliamentary procedures are streamlined to fast-track bills with minimal scrutiny, opposition voices are routinely sidelined, and sessions often resemble ceremonial formalities rather than democratic deliberation. Media plays a complicit role in this erosion by glorifying legislative speed over substance, framing dissent as disruption, and failing to question the dilution of democratic norms.

The Executive, tasked with governance, has expanded its influence far beyond its constitutional mandate. Bureaucratic neutrality is compromised, and investigative agencies are frequently perceived as tools for political vendetta rather than instruments of justice. Media reinforces this imbalance by amplifying executive narratives, converting governance into spectacle, and blurring the lines between statecraft and political branding. The result is a public discourse dominated by personality cults rather than policy critique.

The Judiciary, constitutionally independent, is increasingly seen as balancing under pressure. Delayed justice, selective judicial activism, and opaque appointment processes have raised concerns about its autonomy. The media’s role here is equally troubling—it dramatizes legal proceedings for entertainment, highlights verdicts that align with executive interests, and suppresses coverage of judgments that challenge power. This undermines public trust in the judiciary and shifts focus from legal integrity to political convenience.

Media itself, traditionally the fourth estate, has now become the fourth pillar of control. Corporate ownership, political affiliations, and algorithm-driven amplification have turned many mainstream outlets into echo chambers of power. Investigative journalism is rare, public interest stories are buried, and dissenting voices are vilified. When media ceases to challenge authority and instead serves it, democracy loses both its mirror and its conscience.

In this context, the true fifth pillar must rise: the people’s voice. Citizens must reclaim the democratic narrative through grassroots campaigns, independent journalism, legal advocacy, and creative storytelling. Supporting independent media, demanding institutional transparency, amplifying marginalized voices, and challenging narratives that serve power over people are no longer optional—they are essential. 

Democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires vigilance, participation, and courage. When the fourth pillar becomes the lever of control, it is up to the fifth—the people—to restore balance.