Media- Sinned or Sinned Against

by N.S.Venkataraman

(July 26, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) In the South East Asian countries such as India , Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, one frequently hears about the journalists being subjected to arrest , violent attacks and even murder. It is not uncommon that the governments file trumped up charges against the journalists on frivolous grounds to put fear in their minds. Obviously, the media and journalists are under stress.

At the same time, we often hear about “paid news”, where politicians and business men often plant motivated news in the media by bribing the reporters and the media owners. Many of such allegations about paid news are found to be factually correct, clearly indicating that atleast a section of the media and the journalists are not honest and do not stand up to the ethical and moral standards expected of the journalists.

One disturbing fact is that most of the media are now owned by politicians or business houses in some form or the other. Such owners do not hesitate to use the media for their self centred purposes and view profit making as the central theme of the media profession. They do not distinguish the media profession from other forms of profit earning business activities and therefore, highlight news and stories with the objective of enticing the readers / viewers for expanding the circulations/viewer ship base and get advertisement revenue to boost profit.

Under the circumstances, it can be clearly seen that the media profession has undergone a sea change for worse in recent times, with more profit minded business houses and the so called professional journalists getting into the field, for whom the priority in running the media is no more the nation building goal but boosting the media business prospects, competing with one another for circulation as well as advertisement revenue. There are many reporters and journalists in the media profession today who get enormous training in writings ,presentations and technology practices to catch the attention of the public rather than in commitment to the national and social cause. This is true and it is often seen that the media project even poverty issues and grave problems such as wastage of food grains due to poor storage conditions etc. with an idea of sensationalizing them rather than solving them.

For example, a TV media in India recently reported that it’s sources have provided information to it about the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) charges filed against the Gujarat Home Minister and telecast them in advance generating considerable sensation. At this stage, one would not know as to whether the CBI has deliberately leaked out the information to this obliging section of the media or the media has gained access into the files of CBI by adopting any dishonest methods. Of course, there have been no discussions on this source of information in the media. Meanwhile , the entire media has been discussing the subject as if the concerned minister has been proved guilty whereas the CBI was yet to interrogate him. Does this not give an example of media acting, with the motivation of sensationalizing the issue for the sake of expanding its viewership ?

It is sad and disturbing that like the politicians, media is also steadily losing its credibility. The politicians and the government seem to applaud the media if it would say anything in favour and casticate it , if it would act against them, in a situation where media appear to be vulnerable due to its economic profit motives.

While the harassment of independent media persons by the government is happening , it appears that the situation is particularly bad in some countries. It is sad that the incidents of harassment of media persons in Sri Lanka are increasingly being heard with several media persons belonging to Sri Lanka reported to be forced to live outside the country.

It is high time that the governments should realize that quality media is in its own interest and the media also should protect its standing and public esteem by adopting professionally honest methods and means.