Ques onnaire
Project Title: Is Media Really Playing the Role of the Fourth Pillar of
Democracy?
Objec ve: To collect public opinion on the performance, impact, and
credibility of media in India.
Instruc ons:
Please ck the most appropriate op on. Your responses will be used
for academic purposes only.
Sec on A: Media Consump on Habits
1. How frequently do you consume news or media content?
☐ Mul ple mes a day
☐ Once a day
☐ A few mes a week
☐ Rarely
2. Which media pla orm do you prefer for ge ng news updates?
☐ Television
☐ Newspapers
☐ Social Media
☐ Online News Websites
☐ Radio
☐ Mobile News Apps
3. What type of news do you follow most?
☐ Poli cal
☐ Social Issues
☐ Entertainment
☐ Sports
☐ Interna onal Affairs
☐ Business/Economy
4. Which social media pla orm do you use most to get news?
☐ Facebook
☐ Instagram
☐ X (Twi er)
☐ YouTube
☐ WhatsApp forwards
☐ I don’t use social media for news
Sec on B: Trust and Credibility
5. In your opinion, is the Indian media independent and unbiased?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Some mes
☐ Not sure
6. How much trust do you have in the following media formats?
(Rate on a scale of 1 to 5 – 1 being least, 5 being most)
Television: ☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5
Newspapers: ☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5
Social Media: ☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5
Online News Sites: ☐1 ☐2 ☐3 ☐4 ☐5
7. Have you ever verified the accuracy of a news story you read or watched?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Some mes
8. Do you believe media is more focused on sensa onalism than real issues?
☐ Strongly agree
☐ Agree
☐ Neutral
☐ Disagree
☐ Strongly disagree
Sec on C: Role in Democracy
9. Do you think media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion in a democracy
like India?
☐ Strongly agree
☐ Agree
☐ Neutral
☐ Disagree
☐ Strongly disagree
10. How o en does media cover important public issues (e.g., unemployment,
educa on, healthcare)?
☐ Always
☐ O en
☐ Some mes
☐ Rarely
☐ Never
11. Do you feel the media holds the government accountable for its ac ons?
☐ Always
☐ O en
☐ Some mes
☐ Rarely
☐ Never
12. Has media ever influenced your views about a poli cal or social issue?
☐ Yes, many mes
☐ Yes, occasionally
☐ No
☐ Not sure
13. Do you think the media gives equal representa on to all sec ons of society?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Some mes
☐ Not sure
14. Do you believe media coverage affects the outcome of elec ons?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Maybe
☐ Not sure
Sec on D: Media Ethics & Challenges
15. What is the biggest challenge facing media today?
☐ Poli cal pressure
☐ Paid news
☐ Misinforma on
☐ TRP/fame race
☐ Lack of journalis c ethics
16. Do you believe journalists today are doing fair and ethical repor ng?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Some are, some are not
☐ Not sure
17. Should the government regulate the media to prevent fake news?
☐ Strongly agree
☐ Agree
☐ Neutral
☐ Disagree
☐ Strongly disagree
18. Do you think media houses are influenced by corporate or poli cal funding?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Maybe
☐ Not sure
Sec on E: Open-Ended Ques ons
19. In your opinion, what should be the ideal role of media in a democra c country like
India?
Answer: ____________________________________________
20. Do you think the media is s ll the "Fourth Pillar" of democracy in current mes? Why
or why not?
Answer: ____________________________________________
