5. Digital Journalism and Public Policy

Role of digital journalism in public policy preparation framework is central as media provides critical and crucial insights on various issues. Since media coverage and analysis of public issues influence public policy framework, policymakers look forward to media inputs as the specific media frame highlights an issue in a larger canvass. It is found that the policymakers respond to the media coverage of public issues on the belief that the media broadly reflects the public opinion. The media salience of an issue to prepare a public policy is seen in the theory of agenda setting; the policymakers view the specific issue from the preparation of public policy. For instance in two issues—corruption in India and crime against women, the digital media combined with mainstream media highlighted the significant issues reflecting the public opinion and compelled the policymakers to come out with a public policy. Similarly, dissemination of fake news needs to be contained by a proper public policy in India on the lines of Singapore model. With the increasing use and utilisation of digital media by different segments of the population, the public policymakers in India need to prepare a public policy by engaging individuals, communities and the government in containing the spread of fake news which is harming the society. The present chapter discusses the significance of digital journalism in the preparation of public policy framework as digital journalism has influenced public policy in two issues in India—corruption in India and violence against women. Digital journalism inter alia digital platforms have played a key role in highlighting the public opinion while mobilising public support to these issues. If digital journalism combined with mainstream media can also influence the preparation of public policy framework in containing the spread of disinformation albeit fake news in the public domain, the digital journalism can attain its objective as a responsible player in societal issues.