The moral police of our country are out again to teach us, right from wrong. To correct us from falling into temptations and ruining our thousands of year old Indian culture, of being submissive, divisive, of treating our women like cattle. What happened in Mangalore, is not the first time, we have seen something like this happen in our country and I can assure you it won't be the last.
Forgive me for being pessimistic, but then despite all the hue and cry over the incident in the media, from questioning the government and the politicians to holding chats and discussions with anyone who wanted to talk on moral policing and on the infringement of our fundamental right to freedom, there is not much that has been achieved, when it comes to punishing the real culprits.
And when I say culprits, I do not just mean the men who vandalized the pub and the women there on that day but also the media persons who were present at the venue to cover it live.Having worked as a television journalist and having often been in the thick of action, I am surprised by the state of affairs when it comes toTV news channels these days. Have we become so insensitive as a nation that for the sake of exclusive footage and higher TRP's we actually abet criminals and anti-social elements.
As a former journalist and as an individual I feel I would have felt more confident of the fourth estate in my country, had they covered on how they used the information and their powerful position to avert the heinous incident from happening in the first place, rather than being mute spectators and rerunning the horrors of the crime for days on their TV channels.
I understand sensationalism is the key to increased TRP's but then, where do we draw the line, at this rate the day is not far when we will see live murders being covered on television, when the distinction between fiction and reality would probably vanish.
We have seen how the media covered the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks. Over the years several studies have stated, all criminals thrive on publicity. Instant fame and publicity of their gory crimes gives them the sense of power, for they succeed in creating fear in the masses. When terrorists or fundamentalist political parties attack or vandalize, it is to get publicity for their acts, the more the reruns the more their reach and influence. This is all the more reason why it is important for the media to be responsible when reporting crimes, riots etc.
I remember when we used to cover communal riots, their was an untold code of conduct of not mentioning the communities in our reports as there were chances of inciting more people..........but today I hardly see that kind of restrain in the media. While the media questions why certain minority communities are treated differently in our country, it is they who are largely responsible for creating this rift. The more inciting and emotional a comment or appeal the higher the TRPs.
A friend's 3 year old daughter who lives in Delhi, after seeing the Mumbai attack unfold in front of her eyes and hearing constant gunshots on Television, recently asked him, "papa will these terrorists shoot us also with their guns?" Mind it, this is a three year old kid, who barely knows her b's from her d's.
Freedom of press is the foundation of a successful democratic state, but a free and responsible press is the foundation of a diverse yet united democracy. Maybe it is time the fourth estate questioned itself, whether in their bid to outdo each other in this never ending race of TRPs, are they compromising with the innocence and ideals of our future generations.
I hope sanity prevails and wish my son can grow up in this country, believing in the goodness of every human life irrespective of their socio-economic strata or religious preferences.
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