8. Emergence of media Till the Eighties the Indian audio-visual media was state-run, monopolized by Doordarshan.
Dreary news and entertainment programmes ruled the airwaves.
In 1982, during the Asian Games in Delhi, Doordarshan transmission was transformed from black-and-white to colour, and government reduced duties on import of colour TVs.
A sort of glasnost was brought in DD, but state control remained.
Cable and Satellite channels made their entry in the Nineties, and the entire scenario changed.
Today there are several thousand private news channels, and an equal number of entertainment channels. News as is happening is telecast live in the drawing rooms of people.
The media industry has made innumerable exposes and has shown the truth about politicians.
Several high-profile politicians, including A Raja, Dayanidhi Maran and Suresh Kalmadi were axed thanks to media pressure.
The fourth pillar of democracy has helped shape society's opinion and led to mass outrages like December 16 gang rape protests etc.
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