On numerous counts already, questions have been raised on the moral responsibility of the media and media persons. From the live coverage of the commandos being air landed on the ill fated Nariman House in Mumbai to stories similar to the one portrayed by Soha Ali khan in Mumbai Meri Jaan, media persons have, I strongly believe, behaved quite irresponsibly.
The most recent act of the media which only strengthens this belief was when a media person asked an insensitive and inflammatory question to Sachin Tendulkar during a press conference commemorating his 20 years in international cricket. The question had nothing to do with his sporting achievements. It instead quizzed him about his opinion on the very potent, magnetic and sensitive Mumbaikar issue.
Whatever his opinion would have been, even before he began answering, the damage was done. It was sure to arouse reactions from the relevant political camps. From the Shiv Sena through its mouthpiece, The Samna to the Samajwadi leader Abu Azmi leaving no stone unturned to gather political mileage from it. This I fear is just the start and could only get muckier. In fact, if the person involved had been anyone other than Sachin himself, I am sure the usual anti-social “protests” would have begun immediately with their signature stone pelting on houses, morchas and digging up of cricket pitches.
What I fail to understand is whether TRP the only thing that matters?
No one wants a censor-like, government run big brother overseeing the content that the free media reports. Its only up to them to prevent such days from dawning upon themselves as we the people to whom they are meant to serve will be the biggest losers.
Is media today, not an extension of the same channel that was decades ago so instrumental in bringing the nation together. Yes it very much is. And when they do function in the way they should, cases like the Jessica Lal murder case get re-opened giving us a glimpse of what its power is capable of achieving.
How I wish it also possessed wisdom to exercise discretion in dispensing it.
5 comments:
Excellent post...its probably what every Mumbaikar wants to say n has been yelling out....but for the fear of being bashed up or thrown out of mumbai --they r all quiet! I believe its not only the media thats responsible but also the citizens who are responsible for taking this lying down ...if we all got together [n not in the way u get together to cheer for ur nation in a stadium] ..lots can be achieved and such useless and power hungry, good-for-nothing government can be overthrown! the more u take this in your "stride" ..the more these corrupt officials will emerge! Today it is Sachin... tomorrow it will be you and me...and where will we go? this IS afterall our land, our birthplace and our home!
well written ....u shud post this on bigger sites where people will be able to see this!
Who is Bal thackerey to say anything to Sachin???!!
Sachin has made more than 17000 runs and won the hearts of not only billions of Indians but also around the globe while Thackerey has driven out 17000 north Indians, enraged millions people of India and still NOONE knows him outside Mumbai.
I am Marathi.I dont feel proud of Thackereys. I feel proud of Sachin!
Sachinnnnnn Sachin!!!!
Well, Sachin is a smart person. He could have avoided to answer the question...saying it is nothing to do with cricket. But in that case even I would not have got a chance to give my opinion. :-) I hope you are getting what I am trying to say...word leads to words, opinion leads to opinions, and Sachin's opinion...do you want me to speak more?
I am sure next time he will choose to say...'no comments! Next question please.'.
Its so true that media is a superpower and is capable of doing huge things! And that these doings most of the time include things that we don't like to hear/see/listen. But there are people who are watching the media, taking pleasure out of the juicy stuff, people on the basis of which this media is still thriving!! I guess its a package, just painful at times....
Well written :).
You have made a very valid point about the responsibility of media. Trust me there could have been million of questions media possible would have asked Sachin about cricket but look what the **** they created out of nothing.
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