We live in the largest democracy in the world. Our Constitution, grants several Fundamental rights to us citizens such as Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right to Freedom of Religion etc. Under the Right to Freedom, there are several freedoms granted to us one of which is Freedom of Speech and Expression. The Freedom of the Press, though not explicitly stated comes under this right. There are lots of newspapers and News Channels that bring us all of what is happening in the world every single day.
The Indian Government has not curtailed the Press in any way by posing any sort of restrictions, and so Journalists and News Channels are free to report anything they wish, provided they have some evidence of the same. Unlike nations like Pakistan, reports against the government are permitted to be circulated. Of course, given such freedom, a huge responsibility rests on the shoulders of News Agencies to be accurate, honest and impartial. Impartiality often becomes too big a task, as the news channel has to put forward their own opinion and criticism supporting what they feel. But this post is not supposed to be about impartiality or how a news agency glorifies their favoured political party and underplays the achievements of the others. This is about what is being broadcasted around the world or at least in our nation by the news channels and the priorities assigned to news stories.
Recently, while undergoing a very boring internship in Gurgaon, during Lunch, one of the leading News Channels of the nation would be what I would be forced to watch. During that time, I was often surprised, shocked and disgusted by what I had to watch. Now lunch for me would normally be a 30 minute affair, so normally one expects to be able to catch all the important news in that period of time, however I would normally be able to watch just one single piece, which would be repeated again and again, and so called experts would be discussing it. More often than not, I would be forced to think whether that piece actually deserved to be on the national news, leave apart the fact that it was getting such importance. I remember that one of the news items had been regarding the launch of an IPL team, which is quite justified, but then it dragged on for half an hour and there was less than 5 minutes of actual footage which was put in a loop. The worst thing is that when there was footage of the press conference, and when the people involved in the team were talking, sound was muted and you had to listen to the newsreader. Now, although this piece was worth a slot on the news, I don’t think it deserved such a long time on the air, and I for one was waiting to find out something that happened in the world, which might actually be important.
Another time, I had been forced to watch something about some movie and some stars in it. I don’t even remember what it was as I couldn’t really be bothered to watch it, the only thing going through my mind at that time was when the torture would end and some actual News be shown to the public. One very weird news which is frequently discussed and shown has had me perplexed for a long time now. Most people know about World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Federation) which is nothing but entertainment, is faked and scripted and in a nutshell IT IS JUST AN ACT. But the news channels persist to show and analyse every fight involving The Great Khali. Just because he is an India, does not mean it is news if he loses a fight, especially when the outcome is predetermined. Plus, they have experts present who try to figure out the reason why such a thing is happening and how it can be rectified. I am quite sure, such trivial non-issues are not given any press coverage in any other country in the world.
At this point I would like to show some screenshots and put to the test whether a picture is actually worth a thousand words. These images are photographs of actual news items, and I leave it to the reader to make their own judgement.
The Indian Government has not curtailed the Press in any way by posing any sort of restrictions, and so Journalists and News Channels are free to report anything they wish, provided they have some evidence of the same. Unlike nations like Pakistan, reports against the government are permitted to be circulated. Of course, given such freedom, a huge responsibility rests on the shoulders of News Agencies to be accurate, honest and impartial. Impartiality often becomes too big a task, as the news channel has to put forward their own opinion and criticism supporting what they feel. But this post is not supposed to be about impartiality or how a news agency glorifies their favoured political party and underplays the achievements of the others. This is about what is being broadcasted around the world or at least in our nation by the news channels and the priorities assigned to news stories.
Recently, while undergoing a very boring internship in Gurgaon, during Lunch, one of the leading News Channels of the nation would be what I would be forced to watch. During that time, I was often surprised, shocked and disgusted by what I had to watch. Now lunch for me would normally be a 30 minute affair, so normally one expects to be able to catch all the important news in that period of time, however I would normally be able to watch just one single piece, which would be repeated again and again, and so called experts would be discussing it. More often than not, I would be forced to think whether that piece actually deserved to be on the national news, leave apart the fact that it was getting such importance. I remember that one of the news items had been regarding the launch of an IPL team, which is quite justified, but then it dragged on for half an hour and there was less than 5 minutes of actual footage which was put in a loop. The worst thing is that when there was footage of the press conference, and when the people involved in the team were talking, sound was muted and you had to listen to the newsreader. Now, although this piece was worth a slot on the news, I don’t think it deserved such a long time on the air, and I for one was waiting to find out something that happened in the world, which might actually be important.
Another time, I had been forced to watch something about some movie and some stars in it. I don’t even remember what it was as I couldn’t really be bothered to watch it, the only thing going through my mind at that time was when the torture would end and some actual News be shown to the public. One very weird news which is frequently discussed and shown has had me perplexed for a long time now. Most people know about World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Federation) which is nothing but entertainment, is faked and scripted and in a nutshell IT IS JUST AN ACT. But the news channels persist to show and analyse every fight involving The Great Khali. Just because he is an India, does not mean it is news if he loses a fight, especially when the outcome is predetermined. Plus, they have experts present who try to figure out the reason why such a thing is happening and how it can be rectified. I am quite sure, such trivial non-issues are not given any press coverage in any other country in the world.
At this point I would like to show some screenshots and put to the test whether a picture is actually worth a thousand words. These images are photographs of actual news items, and I leave it to the reader to make their own judgement.
In case you didn't understand, one picture depicts a cat being stuck on a roof, and the other shows that a missing dog has been recovered. Really important news this.
I once saw a piece on cosmic rays which the channel decided to call rays from the heavens, and that it was proof of god or something. I can’t really understand why this channel of public awareness is actually trying to diminish human intelligence and use scientifically explained phenomenon as a means to spread superstitions and nonsense. Recently there was a piece of a Flying Alien Girl, now I really don’t know whether I should laugh or be appalled by such issues. There are many pieces in the news which are only trying to mislead others in the name of religious faith and beliefs.
Priorities of News Agencies are definitely screwed up, I once had to wait for a long time for intense, in depth coverage of a Cricket controversy to end and get a small piece on a Monumental Multi Satellite Launch by the Indian Space Agency. I really think that News Channels need to re think what they are doing. Spiderman once said, ‘With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility’ which is very true. Just because Freedom of Press is guaranteed, it should be used in a constructive way to help take the nation forward. I really wish these News Agencies get their heads screwed on in the right way and do our nation a huge favour.
free·dom [free-duhm]
–noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
6. ease or facility of movement or action.
7. frankness of manner or speech.
8. a liberty taken.
9. civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
10. the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will.
11. Philosophy . the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination.
I once saw a piece on cosmic rays which the channel decided to call rays from the heavens, and that it was proof of god or something. I can’t really understand why this channel of public awareness is actually trying to diminish human intelligence and use scientifically explained phenomenon as a means to spread superstitions and nonsense. Recently there was a piece of a Flying Alien Girl, now I really don’t know whether I should laugh or be appalled by such issues. There are many pieces in the news which are only trying to mislead others in the name of religious faith and beliefs.
Priorities of News Agencies are definitely screwed up, I once had to wait for a long time for intense, in depth coverage of a Cricket controversy to end and get a small piece on a Monumental Multi Satellite Launch by the Indian Space Agency. I really think that News Channels need to re think what they are doing. Spiderman once said, ‘With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility’ which is very true. Just because Freedom of Press is guaranteed, it should be used in a constructive way to help take the nation forward. I really wish these News Agencies get their heads screwed on in the right way and do our nation a huge favour.
free·dom [free-duhm]
–noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
6. ease or facility of movement or action.
7. frankness of manner or speech.
8. a liberty taken.
9. civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
10. the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will.
11. Philosophy . the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination.
