Behaviour and character matters

The media degeneration over the last few decades was characterised by liberal manipulation, exaggeration, distortion of facts and truth. and also a lack of sincerity, application, commitment to search for it. This has allowed the proliferation of untruths and confusion.

Whatever may be the cause or reasons for the actions and inactions of the media, it has resulted in deceiving people, created divisions, sowed hatred, misunderstanding among them. It clouded the perception, psyche and vision of the people misleading them to vote for bigots.

We always underplay, underestimate the negative consequences of our actions and overplay, exaggerate those of others. Barack Obama in his recent rally speech slammed Trump’s ‘Crazy Uncle’ behaviour saying “There are consequences to these actions,” He concluded with these words…

“They embolden other people to be cruel, and divisive and racist; it frays the fabric of our society; it affects how our children see things; it affects the ways that our families get along; it affects how the world looks at America. That behavior matters. Character matters”.

These are words of wisdom and universal truth. We have many crazy uncles here in our midsts like Modi with his lies and boasts and also many others in BJP/ RSS with their cruel, divisive and hateful agenda. We are suffering the consequences of their actions.

Our media aided these crazy zealots by not adequately reporting, questioning or by underplaying or shying away and remaining silent with some murmurs here and there, while they are at their loudest when it involves Congress, its ‘dynasty’ or others.

The behaviour, character, self-discipline should definitely matter to our media especially when they are better placed to exercise their freedom to speak, express and write about all issues. But it had no real checks internal or external and do not exercise caution needed.

The need for criticisms and questions

When there is no open analysis and free, frank, objective discussions, the atmosphere gets cloudy, unclear, deceptive. Truth and facts do not emerge. When the media does not expose lies, propaganda, hatred and divisive agenda, destructive forces come to power.

Media playing to the galleries, spreading lies, betraying the trust and deceiving people sometimes returns back to them with vengeance. In a way they deceive themselves. Honestly, we also contributed to their failures. We failed to criticise and expose the media for long. 

We need not make criminals out of everyone. It has to be accepted that sometimes media is also a victim of the circumstances that are prevailing. What is needed is a course correction for the media. It can happen only if they are receptive to criticisms and amenable to reasons.

The unrepentant, recalcitrant, incorrigible, repeat offenders have to go through the legal challenges. For others, there is scope for discussions and questioning if they are responsive. Freedom of the press or speech does not mean that they are free from questions from people.

Media has escaped all scrutiny while they should have been the first in line as they are the main carriers of information in all its forms. Those from the media may not be holding a public office, Still, people have a moral right to question them.

It is the duty of writers, thinkers, educated, intellectuals, noble leaders and also journalists, to point out the ills of society; to present a path to adopt for the welfare of society and the people. They are to speak now to check and correct our media and political system.

We need not recreate the French revolution here. It is not necessary to leave the job to politicians for raising questions. There are many talented people to do that. There is a need to channelise them by laying out paths and create ways to bring out the truth and facts before the people.

Media is blurring the vision, mind and brain of the people with their reach and domination. They are diverting people’s attention to non-issues. The only way to get the confusions and delusions cleared is to allow free, dispassionate, objective discussions, analysis to happen.

There is so much confusion created by all the lies, propaganda, deceptions carried out more knowingly than unknowingly by all including the media and through the media, it is difficult to set them right when practically and effectively no one asks right questions to anyone.

We are passive, peace-loving people who turn aggressive only when fringe elements incite our sentiments and emotions. We do not hurt and make people uncomfortable if it does not affect our interest. But raising questions on public issues is not a crime or insult.

We also have a weakness. We are not generous and truly liberal in appreciating others. So the right voices do not emerge quickly. Everyone is made to fight hard with ideas and efforts. Most of them lose their steam or they are bulldozed, sidelined, ignored to the extent possible.

One redeeming feature out of all the negativities around is that the truth will ultimately prevail and that too definitely in our country.

Our people breathe Dharma; they believe in Satyameva Jayate and oneness of humanity despite the diversity of cultures and practices.