Growth of media belies self-censorship

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Airwaves across Asia are buzzing with hundreds of new radio stations and
cable TV channels, and its newsstands are spilling over with new magazines
and newspapers: the free press appears to be flowering. But what consumers
do not see is the self-censorship practised behind the scenes. Media
analysts say it is a creeping phenomenon in parts of the region, with
journalists living under threats of violence, dismissal, or loss of
advertising revenue if they break reporting taboos, from military corruption
to social issues like homosexuality and forced marriage. India, the world's
largest democracy, has seen an amazing growth in 24-hour television news
networks in the past six years. While the networks and urban newspapers
enjoy wide autonomy, their country cousins are prone to self-censorship for
fear of losing out on government advertising.

Source:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_3-5-2004_pg7_27