Abstract

Humans have some inherent claims/rights by virtue of being born as humans called as human rights. A person is born with these rights and these rights are not granted by State. As immunities, rights stipulate that no one else's actions can or should go against the will of the person. The idea behind this is that people need to be shielded from cruel and harmful treatment. These rights are a fundamental part of human nature and thus can’t be taken away. In defending human rights, the media—often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy—plays an important role as a watchdog, holding institutions and governments accountable for violations; by giving voice to the voiceless and raising awareness of injustices, the media can expose violations of human rights and mobilize public opinion for change; it also has an obligation to report impartially and ethically, ensuring fair representation of all parties involved; and, through its influence and reach, it can promote the protection and advancement of human rights and ensure non-discriminatory application of human rights’ instruments. The media's primary aim should be to rapidly distribute information to the general public. The role of the media is also to keep a watch on those in positions of authority, to attempt to rein in their arbitrariness, and expose the wrongdoing of those in power to the general public. This paper attempts to define media, its role in protecting and safeguarding human rights, instances where media played crucial role in protection of human rights, challenges faced by media in free and fair reporting of violations and suggestions to further strengthen the role of media in protecting human rights.

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