There is no limit to media excitement. With no lines drawn to the media society there is often breach of tolerance levels. The 24x7 media channels without differentiating the problems adopt a uniform approach in their coverage. Whether Mumbai serial attacks, or multiple murder tragedies or extramarital affairs case, media channels penetrate into the private spaces without any hesitation. This has been a long term irritation for the one and all. There were talks about reemploying state control over media operations. Those who have experienced the negative impact of state media are vehemently opposed to this idea. An impassionate analysis shows that both the solutions – state control or full media freedom is detrimental to the viewers.
The gun battle in Taj Mahal and Trident hotels in Mumbai in November 2008 were telecasted as cricket matches. Without understanding the depth and breadth of the problem, our media personnel complicated life for most of the people. They were regularly giving the updates which include the arrival and operation points of the security forces. It gave good information to the terrorist holed up inside the hotels. The media role facilitated the terrorists who had all the technological access to complete their operations. Today the Indian electronic media channels enjoy the maximum freedom in the world. With 140 news channels in the country there is a severe competition to give spicy news than presenting facts straight.
In a death house, media personnel jumps over and shows the video camera to the mother of the dead. “How do you feel”? is the first question of the journalist in a tone which is unsuited to the ambience of tragedy. She is unable to open her eyes and mouth. A relative speaks. Please “leave her alone”. The journalist is not leaving. He takes the camera to the victim’s brother. A boy of fifteen says “why don’t you get last”? These reprimands were not enough to the duty bound journalist. Still he is hanging over the place. Finally a man who proclaimed as a distant uncle of the victim says “She was having an affair with the policemen. That’s what I heard”. This one bit of explosive information was enough for the journalist to cook up the story. The headlines take a different turn “Shweta murder case takes extra affair turn”. An innocent girl who was murdered was murdered multiple times by the media. The entire episode gave months of sleepless nights to the family and relatives.
The trial by media is definitely a nuisance to the public. A friend of mine who is serving as the Superintend of Police in a sensitive district said “life is complicated. Everyday the newspapers give totally contradictory story and completely divert our attention from the work”.
In short media has complicated lives of everyone. The evil media needs to be sanitized and sense infused. It is better if the media organizations come together and do self-regulation. The time is running out and the state may be compelled to enforce strict regulations on it which will be difficult for both the media and its viewers. One thing comes clear during the cause analysis for outrageous media role. Without adequate training media personnel were inducted. The training process is very short without substance. The crucial ethical component of the media training is missing. Additionally the work culture in the media organization is cut throat and every hole open situation. A journalist is encouraged to gather information either hook or by crook. This is common among all the media people cutting across hierarchies. In fact the topmost media personnel don’t exhibit the minimum ethics and etiquettes. They talk more and listen less. The most irritating part of their role is inviting high profile guests to their studio and does not allow them to talk for more than 20 seconds. In that short duration there are hundred interruptions and questions by the anchorer. In my view media needs to be disciplined. It won’t come naturally. A mix of regulations without affecting their freedom should be put in place. The sooner it is done the better for the people and society.
The gun battle in Taj Mahal and Trident hotels in Mumbai in November 2008 were telecasted as cricket matches. Without understanding the depth and breadth of the problem, our media personnel complicated life for most of the people. They were regularly giving the updates which include the arrival and operation points of the security forces. It gave good information to the terrorist holed up inside the hotels. The media role facilitated the terrorists who had all the technological access to complete their operations. Today the Indian electronic media channels enjoy the maximum freedom in the world. With 140 news channels in the country there is a severe competition to give spicy news than presenting facts straight.
In a death house, media personnel jumps over and shows the video camera to the mother of the dead. “How do you feel”? is the first question of the journalist in a tone which is unsuited to the ambience of tragedy. She is unable to open her eyes and mouth. A relative speaks. Please “leave her alone”. The journalist is not leaving. He takes the camera to the victim’s brother. A boy of fifteen says “why don’t you get last”? These reprimands were not enough to the duty bound journalist. Still he is hanging over the place. Finally a man who proclaimed as a distant uncle of the victim says “She was having an affair with the policemen. That’s what I heard”. This one bit of explosive information was enough for the journalist to cook up the story. The headlines take a different turn “Shweta murder case takes extra affair turn”. An innocent girl who was murdered was murdered multiple times by the media. The entire episode gave months of sleepless nights to the family and relatives.
The trial by media is definitely a nuisance to the public. A friend of mine who is serving as the Superintend of Police in a sensitive district said “life is complicated. Everyday the newspapers give totally contradictory story and completely divert our attention from the work”.
In short media has complicated lives of everyone. The evil media needs to be sanitized and sense infused. It is better if the media organizations come together and do self-regulation. The time is running out and the state may be compelled to enforce strict regulations on it which will be difficult for both the media and its viewers. One thing comes clear during the cause analysis for outrageous media role. Without adequate training media personnel were inducted. The training process is very short without substance. The crucial ethical component of the media training is missing. Additionally the work culture in the media organization is cut throat and every hole open situation. A journalist is encouraged to gather information either hook or by crook. This is common among all the media people cutting across hierarchies. In fact the topmost media personnel don’t exhibit the minimum ethics and etiquettes. They talk more and listen less. The most irritating part of their role is inviting high profile guests to their studio and does not allow them to talk for more than 20 seconds. In that short duration there are hundred interruptions and questions by the anchorer. In my view media needs to be disciplined. It won’t come naturally. A mix of regulations without affecting their freedom should be put in place. The sooner it is done the better for the people and society.
No comments:
Post a Comment