Abstract

The media has long been recognized as the fourth pillar of democracy tasked with informing citizens ensuring accountability and shaping public opinion. In India between 2018 and 2025 the role of media became more complex and contested reflecting technological changes political polarization and social transformations. Traditional forms of media such as print and television coexisted and competed with digital platforms social media networks and citizen journalism. While the media remained a powerful force in shaping narratives around politics governance and social issues it also faced criticism for sensationalism partisanship and the spread of misinformation. This paper examines how media shaped public opinion in India during this period highlighting both its democratic potential and its limitations. It argues that while media amplified voices mobilized movements and democratized information it also reinforced polarization and eroded trust. The study concludes that India’s media landscap