Indian Media

Why is the media here so negative?

This was a question asked by Ex President Dr. Abdul Kalam. Indian media always reports negative and spicy things. It never tries to find the root cause of the issue. Media is a powerful tool in this nation. Most of the Indians always listen to others. They always have doubt in their decisions. If media reports negatively and it spreads among people. They do not think is it right or wrong. They want to report only for TRP’s. They do not want to educate the people. Even the politicians follow the same. They fear if they do so, they will lose the control. They cannot make money.

They reported Anna Hazare Lokpal Bill Movement to the core. This brought people’s attention. Channels have utilized it for their marketing purpose. Anything over dose kills you. So they have sucked the issue fully and nothing much left from it. Now they do not report so religiously. Of course, political parties also played part in controlling channels. Now media has made U turn so that they can use other side of the issue. They are questioning Team – Anna’s decisions. Media has spoiled whatever the little good thing started to happen for country. Now people are also questioning Team-Anna’s decision. They have put the thoughts into public. Media report Team Anna is adamant and forcing government to act quickly. But from past 30 years this has been discussed in parliament and no action taken so far on bill. This time they are forcing government since it has reached patience breaking point. Media never got into root cause.

Media is always into making of money. They only report what sells. Probably, they categorize the place, person or issues. Tendulkar is always shown as demigod. While Rahul Dravid have been criticized for everything. I still remember Dravid’s reaction at Eden Garden Kolkata in 2001. He scored 185 runs against Australia. After scoring his 150 runs he pointed his bat towards media box. It was a gesture uncharacteristic of him. There are only 3 or 4 batsmen in world who have scored 10,000+ runs in both test and one-day format. Dravid is among them. Media never gave his share, except Harsha Bhogle. Tendulkar has been gifted Ferrari. He asked for tax waiver for import of this vehicle from central government. This was never been questioned.

Media can claim people wants these news so only we are reporting. News is like a drug. You made them to addict for such news. There is a celebrity cricket league is going on. Sudeep is leading Karnataka artists’ team. Rajkumar family is absent from the league. Now they are creating a hype on why they are absent. They are because of thier prior commitments. Karnataka team has won, but this issue over shadows it.

Height of the media nonsense is during tsunami in the year 2004. At Kanyakumari, small family, Husband, wife and kid, were boarding the bus. Bus was near the sea and sometime left before it starts. Kid asked his father to take him to sea for few minutes. Father honored his kid’s request. They both were playing on the banks of sea and mother was watching from the bus window. Suddenly, tsunami came and took both of them deep into the sea and they never came back. Seeing this Mother was shocked. After sometime, media people came and interviewed her. Interviewer asked, “ You have lost your husband and kid. How are you feeling?” Ridiculous question. Don’t they have sensitivity towards her? This was on Star news – Hindi. You might find this video on you tube.

Media is a very powerful tool, which can reach large audience at a time. They can make or break. But more often used for the later one. They should not be judgmental or biased. They need to educate the people and guide the nation in right direction. If they do so India can do much-much better in the world. 

"With great power comes great responsibility"