Hate Speech is Okay but Journalists Debating It is Not : Boycott of Select Journalists by I.N.D.I.A
Rajiv Tewari
Founder Global Media Network I Formerly with The Indian Express Newspapers Delhi & Zee News in Leadership Roles I Independent Director in Consultancy, Healthcare, Education & Media domains I
Dividing people on the basis of religion and caste must be condemned by all but selective targeting of some journalists for political gains requires an even bigger condemnation.
Abusing Sanatanis is as bad as trying to divide Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Muslims.
Day in and day out we observe how the politicians are spewing venom by insulting the faith of one community or the other and then they do not wish to have public debates on what they are saying on public platforms.
By trying to take a high ground by calling out some journalists for their political bias would mean that none of the other journalists have a political bias.
Looks like, the Politicians have forgotten that it’s Public Opinion which brings them to power and it is Public Opinion that pulls them down too. Those of us who remember would recall how Mayawati had decided to ignore the media and had come to power with a thumping majority in Uttar Pradesh. Narendra Modi came to power in spite of ignoring the media and a large section of it opposing him.
For the Politicians or even Journalists to think that they control the political narrative is laughable.
However, both with their huge public reach can certainly create long term damage through hate narratives and fake news. Therefore what is important is to call out the hate narratives and fake news irrespective of its source.
In the case of Nuh violence in Haryana, YouTube hate posts had created the mayhem. In many other cases the source was WhatsApp, so singling out a few journalists from national media does not make sense. Boycotting channels would not suit their political interests so they have simply chosen the softer target. This would neither solve the problem nor help their political interests so the decision to block a few journalists is puzzling.
Strict legal action needs to be initiated against the SOURCE of hate narratives and fake news.
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Instead of attacking the Journalists, the media owners, politicians and individuals who are the main source of this evil should be charged under the laws of the land. Politicans indulging in selective targeting of journalists would do more harm than good to a vibrant democracy like India where plurality and dissent form the essential pillars of a strong nation.
Politicians need to be reminded of what Kabir had said long time back:
????? ????? ?????, ???? ???? ????, ??? ????, ????? ????, ?????? ??? ??????
(Google Translation: 'Keep your critiques close to you, let their hut be in your courtyard, that way you don't need soap and water to cleanse your nature”)
Hope they get the message.......
Links for those who wish to know more:
The Journlists having so called debate on tv is mostly trying to project themselves instead of giving view points for healthy outcome.It is not at all okay as viewers loose interest due to lack of intellect input defeating the purpose of such debates. It only appears to be waste of time.
Student of M.Sc. Envieonmental Microbiology at Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkae University,LUCKNOW
1 年??
Sub-Editor, PR & Communication, Amity University, Lucknow
1 年One party is saying it is a ban, and another is saying it is disfellowship. Both have their own logic but the truth is that both sides crossed the limit. Too much is forbidden everywhere. The opposition has some very rude and bad mannered spokesperson. When they don't have answers they become abusive and even then they want to be treated as the VIP . Otherside anchors started behaving like Government spokespersons. This made the situation critical.
Managing Consultant at Strat Team Advisors M&A JV and Collaboration services
1 年Hate Speech is OK for them Hate for jounalist who does not help spreading-justifying-supporting hate speech, is also OK for them Pretty consistent Consistently rotten, that is.
News Editor in a Digital Media Company
1 年I am also not in favour of blocking any journalist. But at the same time it was necessary to identify Super Hate Spreaders of Media. Now they identified properly, it’s up to people to watch them or not.? When these super spreaders of hate talk about freedom of expression, I feel ashamed as journalist. Those who are opposing their boycott must remember heading of their few programs- Land Jehad, IAS Jehad, Thook (spitting) Jehad, Romeo Jehad etc. These Chip Journalists (who searched 2000/- currency ?note chip) can’t be tolerated anymore.? I am not saying that you oppose present government every time but you have to be a fair journalist not a Dalal or propaganda journalist.