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| A still form the movie Spotlight. source-youtube.com |
Every form of media is significant for it is our connection
to information of what is happening in a location or an area. They being our
sole connection to the information must make them feel responsible for any news
they share.
One may say that with the advent of technology, we have
other platforms like Twitter, Facebook etc from where we can get our
information. But why these are not considered reliable source for news is the
presence of personal opinions and the absence of other point of view. When the
media reports an issue, it is important that we keep our prejudices behind and
call out any bias. Because, what is actually happening should always trump over
what looks best suited to ones’ convenience.
With the prominence of social media, there has been a rise
of both pros and cons. Let’s focus on the boon; people are now aware of calling
out any bullshit. Media is therefore, rightfully facing the music for their
pathetic coverage of various events like Malda , Chennai floods, Assam floods, Deepika
Padukone’s objectification ,Pathankot attacks and the latest JNU row. From
ignoring critical national events, to TRP oriented ‘breaking news’ to blatantly
biased reporting, media is failing at its job.
Recently Ravish Kumar, from NDTV, hosted his entire show
with a black screen, condemning the state of reporting today. I’m not
interested in defending Mr Kumar or NDTV, and his style may seem dramatic, but
remember he never claimed to be the saint. I’m interested in the point he
raised, the duty of a journalist.
source-youtube.com ,mahtab alam
Whatever happened to fair reporting, anchors now-a-days are
busy pronouncing judgements. It is definitely human to have views, but while at
a job, it is crucial for the anchor to leave his personal views for the open-eds
and concentrate on questioning and listening answers from their interviewees.
The alleged reveal of tampering of the JNU video is deplorable. How can a journalist
not proof-check the evidence displayed on the national television? Isn’t that
his only job before presenting news?
This is where the recently released Hollywood movie Spotlight
(watch it!), directed by Tom McCarthy comes in. Based on the ‘spotlight’ section
of investigative reporters from the Boston Globe, the movie showcases the team’s
instrumental effort in exposing the ‘systematic abuse of children in the Boston
area by the Roman Catholic priests’. An incredible Oscar nominated movie,
Spotlight is the example of what truthful reporting can do to the society. They
start with a difficult topic with a conjecture of something huge but do not run
the news without proper proofs. And they work hard at it.
source-youtube.com,movie clips coming soon
Let’s not be fools in thinking that newspapers must not work for popularity, because it is a business, like any other. It was even shown by the characters in the movie who wanted to be the ‘first’ ones to report, competing with another newspaper, in order to gain the top position with the audience. But be assured, that the reporters collected evidence, background checked the victims, proof checked their sources before publishing their report.
And this is what is ignored by the media today! Without
credible arguments what will be the difference between the news channels and
social media? News channels do have the means and the reach to affect opinions
and they must feel accountable and responsible for it. We have many reporters
from our own country like Chitra Subramaniam , P Sainath who have done served
their best to journalism. I do not read newspaper or watch news channels to
hear opinions by the anchors, social media already does that.
What we expect from our journalists is to deliver factually
sound reports and what we as readers can do ,is keep an eye out for any
sensationalism and use reason.
