BEING RESPONSIBLE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MEDIA

Hello Everyone,

Media is powerful, media can build fortunes and at the same time can bring the curtains downs on an empire.  What is Media at first place?

Definition of media:

Communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data, or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. Media is the plural of medium and can take a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended (Source: Businessdictionary.com)

The definition of media shows its importance in the society.  It is a medium of communication that could be effectively used to create awareness, bring about a change, realise dreams, inspire thoughts, put forth the truth and everything in the wake of giving rise to positivity and spreading it across the life of an individual and society there on.

Going by the power media has and what it could do I want to bring forth certain illustrations which stand  as a mirror to how media has played an influential role:

• Remember the 1999 Jessica Lal murder case?  Had it not been the push of media, victim’s family might have ended up just hoping against the hope.  Media not only grabbed the eyeballs but made sure justice is delivered.
• Talking about awareness media is pushing its limits to reach masses be it polio vaccination campaigns or Swachch Bharat campaign.  Number of polio effected children has declined rapidly and more and more people getting involved in cleanliness drive prove the incredible role that media has played.
• When I said realisation of dreams I am referring to that sector of media that gives budding talents a chance to showcase their skills.  It might be a platform of a reality show or a column’s space in a magazine.  The best I see though is KBC (who wants to be a millionaire) which rewards sheer knowledge☺.
• When the role of media as a tool to inspire (be it a thought or a generation altogether) is inspected in detail the best example that pops up in my mind is that of Mr.Anna Hazare (revolutionary).  Putting aside the word of mouth, had not been highlighted by the media was it possible for his message to fight for truth and a corruption free country to reach each and every citizen of a country of 120 billion?
• On a lighter note how can we forget the trends that not only received adulation but following too from die-hard fans.

Media apart from bringing about a change brings in pay cheques as well for those who are a part of it.  Be it any form of media (television, cinema, magazines, billboard and so on) provides employment to n-number of skilled/unskilled professionals.  So media is not just a source of communication but income too.

Having said and seen a lot about how media is an influential, integral part of our (democratic) society it is really important to understand that presence of a responsible media is indispensable for the uplift of the image of the country.  In this context there are certain things that need to be dealt with an iron hand.

• Yellow journalism should be done away with.  In order to sell more number of newspaper copies or to get highest TRPs the relevant bodies of media try to sensationalize every bit of news (even if it is not meant to be).  In fact they feed on rumours, exaggeration, scandal mongering.  They are going to the extent of creating need if there isn’t any only to be the talk of the town. For example a pet dog of an actress is ill, it’s a news (sensational, mind you!). Time and again pictures of the pet along with the owner are shown with a tragic music running in background with a caption ” actress is in deep trauma these days”.  You would know the reason and truth only if you watch it. This is a technique to grab attention which is unethical and unprofessional at the word go.
• Showcasing a human as an object: Human, I am talking about in this context is “woman”.  I fail to understand what is the need to show a woman dancing around in an advertisement  which is meant for promoting men’s product.  Be it a shavin cream, undergarments, men’s wear etc.  The portrayal of a woman as “item” in songs, to show women running for a man by the intoxication of his perfume or just because he is chewing or smoking tobacco of a particular brand is very derogatory.  It sends across a false notion.  Many people among audience form a perception that woman is just an object of desire.  I mean it, it happens.  And it is harmful for the society.
• Publicising lives:  I understand that lives of celebrities are always under the radar of public eye. And media is a connecting pin between public and celebrities.  But does that give right to cross the line and step into private space of celebrities?  Aren’t they human like us? Don’t they deserve some private moments away from the shutter bugs? Paparazzi is a new age word given to stalking of celebrities by media literally everywhere , invading the personal space which is morally wrong.
• Promoting clichés like fair is beautiful or handsome, loans are meant for marriage of daughters and education of sons, slim and fit would be more welcomed is totally unacceptable.

Conclusion:  Media is eye and an eye opener for public as through media it sees what’s happening around.  Media is the mouthpiece of nation, through media opinions are voiced.  Media is ear as it is the receptor of facts, concerns, emotions that matters. Ok, I won’t do the anatomy further😀 but all I want to say is being an important part of state machinery it is the responsibility of media to be responsible especially in a democratic country like ours where lot of faith have been resting in this powerful weapon called “Media”.