Media and Malpractices
These days there has been a huge hue and cry over
the role of media.With Prime minister Manmohan Singh
questioning the credentials of the Fourth Estate almost
every newspaper and news channel is focussing on the issue.
I,as a student of Journalism,am not amazed.
Right from our day 1 in college we are
categorically made clear that Journalism is not all about
missionary.Its not meant to discourage us but (pardon the
cilche)the need of the hour today is to be pragmatic andnot
idealistic.Aferall idealism cannot survive on a
emptystomach.
Its absolutely correct to say that Media today is
an industry and like any other industry,its purpose is to
make revenue(almost all the news channel today are listed
on the stock exchange hence they aim to create capital
through it).And in pursuit of all this,unfortunately TRUE
JOURNALISM does take a back seat.
Its also sad to see major dailies turning into
Tabloids.A breakup of a bollywood actress becomes the front
page story and grave and immediate developmental issues
find space on the 10th page.
In foreign countries,there is like a separate space
for sensational news which is kept at distance with hard
news.But in our India,there seems to be a growing
realisation that sensational news only can sell.
MIND YOU WE ARE ENTERING DANGERS WATERS!!!!
Media people try to defend all this by saying that
this is what the people want,so thats why they show it.
Well,my answer to them would be who comes to us and
takes our preference. We are left with no option but to
take whatever they give.
Even watching news looks like a filmy drama,with
the anchor of the show trying real(real) hard to create a
impact by using (weird)language.A recent example to this is
the Gandhi Jayanti story where school children
fainted.A popular newschannel came up with the catch
line :Tarapte bacche manch pe Neta(Restless
children,leaders on the podium).On such a important day
there was little mention of the great man after which the
day is celebrated!!So a new term today is coined called
Infotainment.
Media today has failed to realize the important role that
it ought to play in a developing country like ours.
I believe every Journalist should understand that
their duty as a citizen comes before than their duty as
a Journalist.