In continuation with
https://www.afternoonvoice.com/bigger-the-banner-greater-the-hypocrisy-part-ii.html
Nowadays, almost every channel is playing the baba stereotypes on their channels, and everyone would agree while the certainties of the traditional religious beliefs, some very retrogressive, have gone away, they been replaced not with scientific worldview but with pseudo-science and half-baked ideas that modern-day cults have in particular caught on. “Cults of various kinds like this one rely not on the core of ideas but just quick-fix ideas and this is hammered on our national televisions, watching such programmes is the half of our society, be it engineers, doctors, or software professionals, many believe them and line up to attend these so-called spiritual persons paying a hefty amount in return. I am not against religious or spiritual practices, but this is just an example wherein the society moulds itself according to what the media projects it to be. The only purpose of the news channels is to keep their views glued to their programmes and garner higher TRP. The prime-time debate is another curse, where same faces are invited to discuss the subjects as if India means these bunches of attendees on TV debates. Anchors with heavy makeup do not let invited people to speak; rather, they impose their own views. Such shows are chaos with all possible peak of voice in decimals. Nowadays, there is another fashion, the panelists land up beating each other on live TV shows.
On most of the channels, there are so-called spokespersons of the political parties — some Hindu, some Muslims and some leftists, but no participants. It’s just a plot and agenda. Whom are we fooling by presenting such things? Are we not misguiding those rural voters who are living in harmony but made to divide by showing a threat to their existence? Our country was never so weak, neither Hindu was insecure nor Muslim was scared! Why all of a sudden it’s made to believe that nothing is all right and to make everything fine we have only one choice and that is VOTE for a particular leader or a party. Can you imagine what are we serving people in the name of news? We are ready to buy this crap because this is in the interest of our choice of political party and its leaders. News channels play a role of pimps and brokers. Politicians curse India with appeasement and conciliation to political parties who give handsome deal or package — after all this is a game of money and power.
One day, I was watching the killings of half a dozen CRPF Jawans, gunned down by the Naxals in the forest of Chhattisgarh, on a British news channel, whereas, our Indian channels were busy, showing if not Modi who…who and who! I was shocked, we have chosen Modi four years back due to the failures of the previous government. Let the elections approach, we will again decide, who should be our PM. Your screaming in news channels, “who who who” will not make difference to the fate of India and its people. But such journalists flourish because they expand their vocal chords for the politician, by their supporters, and off their agenda. These journalists enjoy utmost fame, power and goodwill of the government. They are pardoned and forgiven because they are the cheerleaders to the political party and its survival. Those who bring out the truth by exposing government’s lies are shown the door, pressurised and penalised. This kind of journalism doesn’t bring patriotism alive. So basically, to change the society, either we have to mould our media into a strong fourth pillar of the democracy or the society needs to boycott such creepy channels because ultimately TRPs do matter.
I would like to cite another example, the news item about a pre-election Mahagathbandhan against the BJP is unlikely, said Sharad Pawar, was an interesting news and certainly Pawar being an old stalwart of the Congress party is definitely aware of the present political situation of our country. Whatever he has stated was his view and also other political parties barring the BJP decided to work together to select the most suitable candidate out of these parties to be the next PM of our country. It is clear that the Opposition is at this moment not really strong enough to counter the formidable Modi-Shah/Sangh equation. Only time would tell that how these “localised” Opposition groups would take the initiative to counter the BJP. Pawar’s approach is understandable. He can devise a plan to bring big regional parties together to have a national outlook so that divisiveness anti minorities, hatred inherent in ruling party can be meaningfully fought and defeated. To my surprise, maximum news channels, posed Pawar as risk, Rahul Gandhi as waste and other leaders a hazard. They were hell-bent on showing if no Modi, then no future to India. The prime-time, the debates, editorials, talk shows everything was Sonia, Nehru, Gandhi, and Pawar bashing. They were rattled to the core. As media, we should focus on every angle, before Modi India prospered and after Modi too India will reach to the skies. It would be very unfair to give credit to one particular party or a leader. Everyone has made his or her efforts towards the economy and the progress of this country.
Demonetisation was a sincere effort towards preventing the fake currency. Sabotage is what meddled with desired effect wanton corruption, dividing people into castes lines and depriving the poor in general category in the name of misinterpretation of secularism and stabbing on the heart of democracy in the wake of facing a no-confidence motion are inexcusable crimes, which everyone in India knows, the politician creates a fallacy but we as media needs maturity to understand the depth of it. The mainstream media and social media has become trepidation in new India. Somewhere we all need to retrospect and do justice to our profession and people at large.
To be continued…
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