It is the world of digital
revolution, and we are surrounded by a variety of mediums of communication and
information. The primary source that we associate ourselves with, viz. The
Newspapers and the Television News channels seem to have arrogated a different
role than being the Messengers or the guides to the outer world for an ordinary
citizen.
Recent episodes bring to fore the credibility which the media was associated
few years back and the recent wave of skepticism that prevails among the
masses. Few highlighted ones that were in controversy for long time were the
statements those of – rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on toilets in
India; PCI Chairman Markandey Katju on intelligence of Indians; Pakistan
Minister Rehman Malik on 26/11 issue; RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Indian marital
system; Asaram Bapu on Delhi gang rape and the likes.
The first two examples are of the media quoting the government officials and
the last two are examples of private people. The one similarity that all of
them bear is that everyone claims that they have been misquoted and taken
out of context. Thus, the reader is left wondering and confused as to what
exactly is the truth and what the context was, cause not everyone has the
privilege of verifying it online.
Another negative
fallout is, that the speakers get a chance to flee by blaming it on the
media and get away with what they said in the event even when media was
cent percent right in quoting them.
The point here is not who is right or who is wrong, the only point is the
correctness or credibility of the news, be it print or television. In the race
for TRP, media houses are tempted to sensationalize, distort, hide or
exaggerate facts that suit their needs. This tendency amounts to abuse of
freedom of speech and faith of the readers entrusted in them.
The role of ‘The Messenger’ here is to present facts without distorting them
and in an unbiased manner. The readers and viewers understand this and the
credibility of the medium rises, in turn raising the TRP and the value of the
paper. Thus, hitting two goals in a single bullet.
Media should take cue and instead of abusing its power make
itself a powerful tool and make the freedom of its speech more meaningful and
trustworthy.
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