"Viral video of a dress cutting performance"
"Woman survives falling water tank"
"Youtuber said bad words in a reality show- might be a terrorist"
This is the kind of content we see while scrolling through the masterpieces of Indian media.
Media which was originally made in favor of transportation and sharing of news and cultures across places, has now been reduced to a propaganda machine. It is not something unnoticed because several people has overtime presented their concern about the failure of Indian press. Shashi Tharoor, an author and a politician, once said that "Free media is not just an option, it is the necessity for a functioning democracy. Without it we are blindfold citizens". Justice Chandrachud (CJI) said "the press must remain free if we are to remain a democracy. A media controlled by power is a democracy lost."
India's rank in 'World press freedom' lies on number 159 out of 180 countries. In providing misinformation India is the leading country in the world and yet, some people of the extremist mindset would defend this by saying that international organizations like RSF and WEF are biased towards India. Not just this but but if you question the government (which is your legal right) then they will start calling you anti-nationalists.
But why exactly all this happening?
First of all, Indian media tends to promote sensationalism over facts. They would overexaggerate numbers, fake statistics and use heavy works that attract the masses (even if they do not fit in). In short, they prioritize their TRPs over truth.
Secondly, narratives these channels convey and the news they telecast is clearly what Political parties and big businessmen paid them for. We see what these parties and their politicians want us to see. Mostly these are things far away from real issues.
Another factor is the lack of 'investigative journalism'. And before you think any further let me make this very clear that this 'lacking' is definitely not because the youth is negligent. But it is because of the suppression of those who raise their voices by not giving them a chance to be on the mainstream media or worse violent measures against them. I would humbly request the media that I really don't want to watch what Kareena Kapoor and her kids do.
And even here caste and religious bias are not behind. They portray some religious communities as villains while others are glorified. I mean they are seriously acting like a cult rather than supporters.
And even if some journalists have the courage of showing truth they face threats or censorship.
Real issues like rapes and murders, corruption of politicians, the Mahakumbh stampede, poo sanitation and drinking water facilities, the burning of Manipur, the falling Indian rupee, dying farmers, growing casteism and patriarchy, increasing air pollution and an education system that does not allow children to follow their passions causing brain drain. Media houses have left these topics far behind.
When the watchdogs become lapdogs, the truth dies a silent death. It is the time to reclaim the media before it becomes just another pawn in the game of power.
#MediaCorruption #FreePress #JournalismMatters #SpeakTruthToPower #IndianMedia #RottingMedia #MediaManipulation #PressFreedom #FakeNews #MediaWatchdog #FourthPillar #BreakingTheNarrative