Media, Reality and Social Responsibility
By:Sunil Kalai, Category: General, Posted on:2011-05-29 09:58:17

Media empowerment is a sign of true democracy. Journalism is a practice of writing on issues and it is a way of life. Obsession and physical relation replace love and defense means aggression today. Voyeurism, gaze and presentation of female body seem attractive advertisements or display, in the process human moral value is replaced by the idea of making human being as a product or commodity.

Murder, violence and rape are most commonly highlighted news item by media today. Perhaps these are reflections of reality. Picture of terror and riots has replaced the pictures of nature and beautiful creation. One could rarely see media speaking the issues of the poor and hungry, media became the voice of the rich and power. "It's the same the whole world over, It's the poor what gets the blame, It's the rich what gets the pleasure, isnt it a blooming shame?" rightly sang the British soldiers in the First World War. In 1904 the common soldier prayed before the battle of Blenheim as it reads, "O God, if there be a God, save my soul, if I have a soul!" indeed society need precautions from politics and media portrayal on certain sensitive issues like, "Jaya pins DMK behind Rajiv Gandhi killing, cong snubs issue." Was the headline by PTI, Chennai/Delhi. I doubt on the logic behind the news publication by the media on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister saying that DMK was linked with assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in an "indirect way" on 24 May 2011. Mr. Manish Tewari rightly stated on the statement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister saying that, "people should refrain from trying to politicize a tragedy of the proportions, which are indefinable" Was that the responsibility of media? What was the objective behind the news? What could be the effect on the nation and on the people who consider news in media as gospel truth, having blind faith unconditionally, and they are convinced in whatever they hear from media is correct. The truth is that due to commercialization media can became selfish and biased, the fact remains that media is also a victim. How society reacts on such issues may create violence in some forms, which could be reflected in media, and children and youngsters are exposed to media violence regularly. Effects of media could be intended long-term, unintended long-term t, intended short-term t and unintended long-term.

I do not intent to criticize media projection of reality, but I like to remind that Media has a responsibility at its hands, to guide the people and shape society. Media is the strongest weapon of democracy, but if media is misused, it could be as harmful as nuclear bomb and it could be equally harmful for media itself and lose its credibility. Media decide the rise and fall of power. The media affects peoples perspective not only through television, but also through radio and newspapers. Today news channels and even some newspapers are mouthpieces of some political parties. Their works are limited only to spread the ideology of the party rather than give correct news. One thing is certain: the issue of media violence is not going away. Tripura Times, Agartala, May 22: "The Tripura PCC has called a 12-hour bandh tomorrow to protest against the murderous assault on NSUI president Vicky Prasad and 10 other student activists by rival SFI supporters." As newspapers in Tripura highlights the issue, the issue got worsen day by day, the entire state remains restless and panics. Media is the watchdog of the political democracy. If it plays its role honestly, it will be a great force in building the nation. The primary aims of giving important information, educative programmes should not be ignored. Messages of journalism are mean to mirror reality. In this situation, reality is unchanging and meaning is unchanging.

On 25th May 2011, I was astonished to read the news in Tripura Times about the comments made by CPIM, State secretary, Bijan Dhar saying, "such comments are dangerous for the unity and integrity of the state; especially when they come from a national political party like congress." It was a mere exercise of fundamental rights, right to expression but Mr. Dhar further added, "we will expose this design of the opposition and we will take this message to every person of the state through movement agenda." This attitude shows the intolerant mindset of their party and the person and lastly, there was another commitment, as it reads, "we shall stick to our development work". It was a counter attack on the statement made by PCC Media Department Chairperson Ratan Chakroborty on the idea of overpowering Left Front Government. Thanks to Tripura Times for balancing the issue and rightly highlighting on the attitudes of a person like State General Secretary who could not accept to the fact expressed by honorable PCC Media Department Chairperson.

The Leftist wanted to go spreading the ideology of development. I doubt, if the word development is clearly understood by the person who said that they would stick to the work of development. For more than 25 years, they have been ruling one of the smallest states in India with a population less than crore and now they feel the need for development. Look at the Ujjayanta Palce, the identity and evidence of our great civilization of the past, which was beautifully, build and maintained well before 1950, today it stands naked and falling. What could be the best example of development than this? In a only four district state there are no proper power supply, ration supply, roads connectivity, dispensaries, schools, colleges etc. and that was the development they did in the past more than two decades. On the same page, there was another interesting story, "State admits Gandhi exclusion, Ratans demand note accepted" had not media highlighted this issue, I would have remained unaware of the heroic deeds of Mr. Ratan Lal Nath on making demands relating to textbook revision. Mr. Naths statement, "Mahatma Gandhis contributions have been curtailed, if not exempted, to make way for Lenin is a live example of their anti national traits." Thanks to Tripura Times once again on diplomatically taking up the responsibility without creating violence between the two parties but given enough inputs to the readers to judge between who is good or bad and the nation will not tolerate anti nationalism of curtailing Gandhi from the syllabus. Perhaps that was the presentation of reality by media.

How do people react on media violence of reality reflection? What are the effects of such exposures on society are the question, which needs answers, intelligently by parents, teachers and our leaders. Regular exposure to violence in media increases violence among children, which reflects itself in the form of violent behavior. Study has shown that children exposed to violence are more likely to grow up to be violent. Media apart from being powerful it is also influential. Scenes of throwing stones, burning vehicles, real rioting even disturbed the grown up. Hence, the future of human society depends on how media shapes and cultivate the nation and media is that rule the world.

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