Editor, To be informed about all kinds of happenings around us is not always healthy. For healthy thoughts healthy materials are important. However, in this age of a fast-paced digital media we inevitably run the risk of being deluged by negative information. Visual materials that we often get bombarded turn out as yummy feasts for our leering eyes. The recent outbreak of the saga of lust, conspiracy, and betrayal of Indrani Mukerjea has flabbergasted many. But what is worse here is that the way the national media is leeching onto it, ‘Voyeuristic media’ (ST, Sept 4th). For over a fortnight they have been harping on it. How can they be oblivious of other topical issues and news that matter the most and keep digging into the privacy of others which only contaminates the psyche of the general masses? Does it not send out the wrong message to our tender youths?
It is observed that some of TV channels are so morbidly obsessed that they work up their extra sweat to give twists and turns to stories. Well before the trial begins in the court of law — the media anchors threateningly pose as heartless judges by falsely convicting the innocent souls. Again, they could even be too soft on a dreaded criminal while too hard upon others, especially those who lack a glamour quotient. Frankly speaking there is huge discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, creed, race and religion.
Could we forget the recent subversive posture of the mainstream media? With all impunity they showered a whole lot of sympathy upon the murderous terrorist Yakub Memon. How does one, who had allegedly orchestrated diabolic bombings in 1993 that killed over 250 innocent people, merit so much of importance? Does it not embolden others to follow in Yakub’s footsteps who might later pose a terror threat to the Nation? Again, what makes the mainstream media judgmental on every crucial issue and deliberately influence the unsuspecting citizens to form biased opinions? Sometimes it appears that certain media barons have ulterior motives best known to themselves.
Have we ever seen the American media taking the side of the terrorists? If such case ever happens they will be pulled up and immediately tried for treason! After the devastating jolt of 9/ 11 the US government stopped at nothing to enhance its security arrangement and the intelligence network. Without seditious interference from within everything is implacable there now. But, in India it’s quite unthinkable. Yes, it’s loud and clear through the social media that the majority of people are exceedingly unhappy with the prejudiced attitudes of some of the Indian media. Their credibility and journalistic integrity is suspect, especially now when the terror modules are roaring with a vengeance. Ordinary citizens are aware of the realities. They strongly feel that the country’s security and peace is far more important than the freedom of speech which might hurt the nation. Yours etc., Salil Gewali, Shillong-2
