Media

Television news media in our country has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade. The growth is unmatched, at least when we compare ourselves with our neighbors China, Pakistan. Booming economy was an added advantage.The impact is so much that Parvez Musharaff had to encourage the same in Pakistan to stop its citizens from watching Indian channels during Kargil and later also. If such is the impact outside the nation, we need not emphasize the way it revolutionized the minds of information hungry Indians. Now we are far better informed of the happenings around us than ever.

Wait a minute... If we are really well informed then we have to understand our society better. This will eventually result in a better society. But we have lost track.
How well has the media of this nation utilized the much celebrated freedom of press? Are we really informed, in an era where we have exhaustively long list of channels.
How responsible are the designers and hosts of programmes being aired?

Even the most respected channels fail to deliver the right stuff in the midst of sensationalism. Manmohan Singh's heart bypass details in news are no match to the in detailed analysis of Sharukh's minor surgery ( once can easily get a Diploma in medicine by following this one). I agree, there is a lot of room given for real issues provided they are sensational enough. I doubt if we have any other arts and sports apart from movies and cricket.
From terrorist attacks to street murders, all we talk of analysis is the minute details of modus oprandi,but the cultural, political, social aspects, after effects etc are least bothered. We are acting utter foolish wearing masks of genius. When asked the reasons we ( media and society) point fingers at each other, typical Indian behavior. People do watch when something worth is presented, but they have very minimal options.

Regional language channels need a special mention. They have thrashed all the barriers in bringing news to at the door steps of Aam-admi. Also they have successfully degraded and demolished the minimum values and ethics.
TV9 and its CEO and presenter Raviprakash are more interested to have MMS scandals aired during the prime time, when the Andhra Pradesh has got bigger issues like agrarian crisis, corruption etc.
One more news channel Sakshi on the eve of its launch in February 2009 published a full page ad in Sakshi newspaper which has Hotel Taj Mumbai in fire and the caption says "You will be the witness, live - from today". This channel was not existing when the 26/11 Mumbai attack happened. The news channel has shamelessly used the ghastly terrorist attack as an advertisement to launch itself. I am afraid, I might see even worse things.

There is a dialogue in a movie - "Everything in this country is entertainment".
Can't we be in a more civilized society. Can't we have a responsible media.
Yes we can, only if we want to.