In the last decade the Indian media has undergone a sea change. There was a time when the media was just black and white, a time when journalists took their job seriously and believed in the good old saying "the pen is mightier than the sword". They believed that the might of their pen was capable of transforming the face of India. They dreamt of an India standing at the forefront of the international arena. Issues of national importance were given prominence. The media focused on the underprivileged sections of the society, acting as a bridge between them and the government. It earnestly pursued the problems plaguing rural India and fought the battles till the end - it did not abandon them midway.
Enter, satellite TV
With the advent of satellite television the scenario changed completely. The media which had till now acted as the voice of the underdog now took an altogether different avatar, that of an advisor to the new emerging class – the middle class. Free advice was provided on matters relating to fashion, lifestyle, cuisine, and lifestyle products. They were shown ways to lead a glamorous life replete with every possible comfort money could buy. The voice of the underdog was lost in the cacophony the new face of media had created.
Now color is the spice of life, be it the content or design of the publications. No more black and white pages. Open any newspaper early in the morning, the riot of colors hits you in the eye, first thing. Next is the colorful news content. Bollywood actors, celebs, gangsters, conmen, and god men are the headline grabbers. No editor wants to take the risk of putting the news item about farmers’ suicides on the front page which would invite the wrath of the pampered reader, who does not want to be disturbed with such inanities. He wants to know about the latest trends in fashion and the stock market. A Bollywood wedding – the wedding of the century is far more important event than the sorrows of the real India or the potholed road outside your house.
Glamorization of trivia
The television news channels are also playing their part enthusiastically in this great circus. They are omnipresent and are expert acrobats capable of taking a shot from every possible angle. The technology that is propelling the great media circus is capable of beaming the game of death directly into your drawing rooms. Now you can view a suicide on your television screen, the anchor narrating the details as if it was a cricket commentary. Suicides, immolations, police encounters, atrocities, sting operations, you name it and it’s available at the click of the remote. There is no hesitation to beam the marital disputes of unknown people to millions of viewers. Even the couples in question have no qualms about their lives becoming a mockery at the hands of these channels. Fifteen minutes of fame is after all, a heady feeling.
It will take a long time before every actor taking part in this circus realizes the real responsibility of the media and the role they can play in bringing major changes in the lives of ordinary Indians like you and me. Till then the show will go on.
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