What is media, the so called fourth pillar of democracy in India upto?
This is typical example how various sections of India conducts itself in highly immature, irresponsible and dubious manner.
There are four pillars of democracy:
Legislature
Executive
Judiciary
Media
Who is responsible for deaths and suffering of people due to poverty, hunger, lack of treatment, lack of food and water, lack of basic amenities, terrorism, naxalism, crimes, corruption? These four pillars must fight honestly against these. Is media not one of the pillars?
If India is in such miserable condition then all four are equally responsible. Because if one is not going right, it is the duty of others to check and rectify. But the state of India and its people is proof of complete failure of all four. Unfortunately for the nation these four caretakers of the nation not only have failed but worse they do not want to accept and realize this failure. On the contrary there are strong and bitter reactions when such failures are highlighted.
Anyone can fail. It is not a crime to fail. But one must be humble in acceptance and keen on learning. But when one creates a shell of dishonesty, arrogance and lack of accountability then any hope of improvement fades. The most unfortunate aspect of this is people in these sections have the capacity to influence and destroy life of masses. It is sad to see media thumping own chest and arrogantly claiming 'great work' they have done for years. As if they have done some special favor for nation.
Nation needs humble, sincere, honest and efficient work from every citizen especially from those who claim to be caretakers of nation being in four pillars of democracy.
What should media do:
- People in media must realize the significance and responsibility towards nation. People of India are sensible enough to judge unless false information is served to them. Media must address to allegations of bias and wrong doings. They can not testify themself. They are responsible for fair, unbiased and unmanipulated reporting of truth and only truth that might be for or against anyone including media itself.
The quality of reporting and debates in Indian media is very low.
- The quality of language used is very cheap and lack substance and grace.
- Debates are often biased as if predetermined what to present.
- People shout and speak nonstop nonsense in debates. They all speak together so debate makes no sense.
- Fair balance of versions of opinion and time given is lacking.
- Anchor speaks too much and 'directs' the flow. They impose and pushes their own views. This is not anchors job. Anchors job is to start and let people speak.
- Channels present their own opinion and try to influence opinion of masses. This is not fair. Job of media is to report incidents as they happen, present views of both sides and let people form their own opinion.
- Channels are alleged to highlight, distort, conceal and manipulate facts to do 'character assassination' of some and create false image of others. This is very serious anti national crime. There must be fair and equal opportunity for all.
People of India are innocent as most still tend to accept whatever is served in media but they are not stupid. They need right information in right manner. Are we providing right information in right manner?
Is media sincere towards nation? It is time for media to check their nationalism quotient. It is time for all four pillars of democracy to do some introspection. It is time for all of us to check our own nationalism quotient. True nationalism in action, not mere raising slogans or thumping chest and absolutely not about faking it.
News media is integral part of citizens of a nation. Same is true in India. It has big responsibility to contribute in nation building but unfortunately what people see today is a sad story of hyper commercialization in media.
There are few sectors like politics, education, police, judiciary, healthcare and media which play a major social role. These must be above narrow minded financial interests. Their accountability, transparency and responsibility towards society and nation are much higher. Just like we expect our defense services to be perfect, above selfishness and work whole heartedly for nation, people in these sectors are also supposed to carry same spirit. Defense services in India have done more than expectation. Their commitment and sacrifice is commendable but what about these other sectors. What have they done or doing towards nation building.
It is unfortunate to see the state of media. They are supposed to play a role of mirror reflecting reality as well as a role in connecting the people together. On surface they claim to be doing this but words are contrary to reality. People are able to see reality. The reputation is at a dismal low. It takes years of consistent honest hard work to build reputation which unfortunately is nowhere a priority for most in media. Their priority is TRP and quantum of sale. They all try hard to claim as 'most watched' or 'most read' or have some million viewers which is not necessarily a reflection of honesty, sincerity or quality. People of India are helpless in having few options of sensible, quality and fair media.
There are many allegations on media which destroys their reputation :
- Lack of transparency
- Lack of accountability and responsibility
- Lack of freedom
- Media is biased
- Paid news and paid presentations
- Paid surveys
- Sensationalism
- Low quality or cheapness in content
- Low quality of language used by anchors or presentators
- Spreading superstition
- Presenting own opinion as news
- Attempt to influence public opinion
Such reckless commercialization of this important sector is bad for nation. Those in media must realize their responsibility towards society and nation. Those who work negatively in selfish interest are like traitors. People must apply logic and wisdom to make sure that such hyper commercialization must be checked before it damages the nation.
A fair unbiased and dynamic media is need of the nation. For this we must ensure:
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Ownership of all media must be declared regularly.
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There should be no conflict of interest. If politicians, their supporters and
corporate especially who are funding political parties have ownership in media,
it is conflict of interest.
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Foreign investment must not be allowed in News Media as they can be manipulated
by vested and anti nation interests.
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News channels and print news must be run on crowd funding to eliminate chances
of bias.
Time to recreate sincere and honest journalism.
