Relevance 

The abnormalities of paid media are apparent. That is inevitable as long as their need and greed exist. Countering the committed/ paid media is a worthless exercise but it is necessary to communicate the truth about their intentions, idiocy to the people. 

What we are to really bother about is the free media. Their role and proper functioning are relevant and essential for protecting our democracy, providing checks and balances to the system, bringing sensible changes in society to improve the quality of life of people.

They are more than carriers of news, views and information. They also do processing before presenting analytical reports. But they are only opinion givers, maybe opinion-makers to some extent but should not become opinion pushers and allow their personal agenda to peep in.

They are not here to pass judgements, impose their will and wishful thinking influenced by their own likes and dislikes. It is not their job. They may not be qualified or equipped for it. They may not have complete information. Further, they will be overstepping their limits.

It is not possible for everyone, every time to be right in perception, analysis and presentation. But there should be scope for debate, discussions and criticisms. The media should search and set their path and objective towards what is right, true and just for the people. 

Sometimes free media feels so liberated that they dislike following rules and an idealistic path. They do make compromises. But to the extent, they deviate from the basic principles and ideals they are likely to fail in discharging their duties as part of free media.

These kinds of compromises, failures, weaknesses when repeatedly occurs without any checks, the character of so-called free, neutral media totally changes. This creates a systemic imbalance that allows unchecked, uncontrolled politicians leading the nation to a total disaster.

Avoidance 

We do get satisfied if the media speaks our voice, say of an educated middle-class citizen reflecting our views. Is that enough? This is not what is expected of them. A deeper analysis and understanding of the characters and subjects involved is required.

A closer reading of the issues and associated individuals or groups, their minds, character, behaviour will lead to a predictable line of their approach, the games they play and the strategies they hold or will unfold in future. This will help in our defence and response.

For example in case of Gujarat riots, if the media had collected, studied and presented information and evidence available from their sources or elsewhere, we could have averted major disasters that occurred later by such kinds of characters and circumstances.

Time is a natural healer. But as time passes by, it may also prove to be a natural killer of truth and evidence in support of it. When we get an opportunity we should get to the root of the problems to the extent possible to unravel the truth. Here the media failed miserably.

Every section of society including administration, judiciary, political parties, groups or individuals have their own weaknesses. We cannot leave issues for others to do if we are having legal space to do it. The dilution to establish truth can happen anytime and anywhere.

Pattern

If we look at the media’s failures, weaknesses, silences, actions and inactions deeply, there appears to be at the root, a pattern emerging in their behaviour, character. One may note such conspicuous absence of media even in case of recent Delhi riots to unravel the truth.

They are not occasional, incidental let-downs or failings. it appears to be due to a characteristic approach they are habituated to adopt due to their prejudices and bias. The course correction required for such basic abnormalities needs deeper analysis of past and present.

Maybe the media wanted an alternative powerful force against Gandhi family and so promoted Modi silently, discreetly, consciously or subconsciously from the beginning. First, they ignored his failures as he belonged to the opposite camp and promoted him when they got a chance.

It is also possible that assertive educated media had prejudices against Muslims in spite of liberal tag they hold, maybe due to a belief that Muslims were enjoying benefits and support out of turn during Congress rule. Perhaps subconscious feelings lead to their inaction.

There are many instances to quote like Delhi riots, lynchings, misuse of powers to protect BJP supporters; to arrest, harass those who opposed BJP. The list is endless as they are not very active after 2014. But they participated actively before that to bring down UPA.

Muslim leaders claim that in employment, income criteria, Muslims were not benefited under Congress rule. Dalits also have not gained equality of status to the extent needed despite reservations. Is it due to all-pervading majoritarian rule with religious and caste bias?

One of the probabilities is that most political leaders, every section of society including the media are working for their future. That includes leaders of regional and caste groups, parties making bargains with rulers. The poor who are the voiceless and silent majority are ignored.

We do witness historic ‘Gandhian protest’ to bring down Government and not for upliftment of the poor and downtrodden? The media was a willing accomplice in such actions of power mongers/ power brokers. Now they have become toothless cats. Rats are ruling the ‘world’.

Midway Note

• • The abnormalities of the media are not new. It has not surfaced overnight.
  • They had these basic weaknesses and anomalies in their character as a group.
  • The real problem was the actions and inactions of the media were not adequately scrutinised and questioned.
  • It is not one but many reasons that contributed to their abnormalities. 
  • They have to apply their mind; correct their assumptions, path and target to make effective contributions for the benefit of the people. 
  • It is a long way for them to become truly free, liberal, neutral media.