Influence(ing) Media

Over the past few years, I have been most disappointed with watching news channels. Print media to some extent has been tolerable, Television has been utter nonsense. Profiteering has overtaken objectivity in my opinion.

There has been no more a painful moment than to turn on to any Indian news channels. The competition of atrocities by the news anchors is exponential. Substance has been substituted with sustenance. Content has given way to drama and nonsense.

There are a few videos on youtube that describe some India news channels as entertainment. The shamelessness of the news anchors are finding new levels by the minute.

What is appalling are the topics that are chosen to be shown on prime time. Debating on these topics is a great idea, but at the end of the debate you have bruised egos, wounded personalities and rotten apples thrown at each other. There is no semblance of any conclusion to the topics being discussed.

Children murder, women rapes, spouses being dragged into controversies alive or dead, Prime Minister being outrageously insulted by all and sundry.. the list is endless. Why do we tolerate such nonsense? Does freedom of press mean Freedom to ridicule, spoof and comment without complete information. Do we still understand what objective reporting means and its importance in shaping the future generation? If we can ban smoking and drinking or issue warnings against these practices during movies, why not issue similar warning on news anchors who are abusive and retarded in reporting and debating news and topics?

Media has a huge role to play in shaping the thinking of our children. In my opinion it is far greater than movies. We need to learn a great deal of maturity and modesty that is available in abundance in our Indian ethos. It is high time we change the way media is reporting and being perceived. Else no country would want Indian news channels on their shores to report incidents. That would be utterly shameful!!