Madhur Bhandarkar’s latest directorial, ‘Fashion’, primarily focuses on revealing the dark side of the fashion industry about which many youngsters aspiring to be a part of are unaware. The attempt was really appreciable as it is an eye-opener to the ignorant lot who believe that the industry is only glitz and glamour. Besides the many harsh realities showcased in the movie about this industry, it has been instrumental in displaying the adulteration of ethics in other professions. I was totally repulsed watching one particular scene in the film where the media (television and print) crosses its ethical limits to tarnish the reputation of a young model who happened to be involved in an unfortunate accident while walking the ramp in a show.
Character assassination is a very common term when it concerns today’s media. Be it Aarushi Talwar or this ill-fated model. Besides this, some so-called “news” channels have simply lost track of what they ought to cover. A couple of months back it was the engagement of Charles Sobhraj the infamous “bikini-killer” that was all over some news channels. How does it concern us??? How does the affair of a 20 year old love-struck translator and the most-sought for criminal of the 70s matter to us? Yet the news channel wouldn’t stop telecasting the news over and over again for an entire day. When will we realize where to draw a line? Is it cause we are running short of news to show the people? Have you, the media, forgotten about the hundreds of young children, minors, who are being trafficked everyday to various tourists spots all over our country to satisfy the filthy pleasures of foreign tourists? Have you, the media, forgotten to cover the stories of various NGOs that work day and night to give life to thousands of destitute, orphans, crippled and old people? Have you, the media, forgotten to show the deplorable condition of the slums of Mumbai about which the government doesn’t seem to take interest to improve? Has the media of present day lost its purpose? Does the media have to be so unprofessional just for the sake of news? Shouldn’t we take an action rather than remaining hushed about the ethics being eroded from the news-hungry group of media persons/organizations that has the duty of informing us facts rather than something that was invented in the unscrupulous minds?
The media has a greater responsibility of informing and inspiring the general public than to bloat up inane issues just to publish“hot” news in newspapers…issues that aren’t even in public interest, but just to blemish someone’s character. Sometimes of those who aren’t even alive to defend their stance. The media is expected to inform the public about the happenings around them from near and far. The media is expected to spread awareness about various social issues that haven’t yet been addressed completely. It is there to inspire millions of people it reaches out to everyday to stand up for a cause. There was a time when the newspaper was a key tool in spreading nationalist sentiments when the whole nation was fighting for independence. There is a time now when Page-3 journalism is what has the top-hits in a newspaper. So should the media be blamed or the readers???
Character assassination is a very common term when it concerns today’s media. Be it Aarushi Talwar or this ill-fated model. Besides this, some so-called “news” channels have simply lost track of what they ought to cover. A couple of months back it was the engagement of Charles Sobhraj the infamous “bikini-killer” that was all over some news channels. How does it concern us??? How does the affair of a 20 year old love-struck translator and the most-sought for criminal of the 70s matter to us? Yet the news channel wouldn’t stop telecasting the news over and over again for an entire day. When will we realize where to draw a line? Is it cause we are running short of news to show the people? Have you, the media, forgotten about the hundreds of young children, minors, who are being trafficked everyday to various tourists spots all over our country to satisfy the filthy pleasures of foreign tourists? Have you, the media, forgotten to cover the stories of various NGOs that work day and night to give life to thousands of destitute, orphans, crippled and old people? Have you, the media, forgotten to show the deplorable condition of the slums of Mumbai about which the government doesn’t seem to take interest to improve? Has the media of present day lost its purpose? Does the media have to be so unprofessional just for the sake of news? Shouldn’t we take an action rather than remaining hushed about the ethics being eroded from the news-hungry group of media persons/organizations that has the duty of informing us facts rather than something that was invented in the unscrupulous minds?
The media has a greater responsibility of informing and inspiring the general public than to bloat up inane issues just to publish“hot” news in newspapers…issues that aren’t even in public interest, but just to blemish someone’s character. Sometimes of those who aren’t even alive to defend their stance. The media is expected to inform the public about the happenings around them from near and far. The media is expected to spread awareness about various social issues that haven’t yet been addressed completely. It is there to inspire millions of people it reaches out to everyday to stand up for a cause. There was a time when the newspaper was a key tool in spreading nationalist sentiments when the whole nation was fighting for independence. There is a time now when Page-3 journalism is what has the top-hits in a newspaper. So should the media be blamed or the readers???
Comments
In an ideal society we know the media should remain solely to remit news - news that matters. Now what news matters is decided upon by the public.
One can not generalize when he or she speaks about how the 'public' is not interested in these kind of news items being shown/ printed by the media. Such people form a minority. If they were actually in majority, the media houses would not show/ print these news items that aim at sensationalizing news. Basically they spend time with such insignificant news just because they are catering to a larger public who enjoy watching/ reading that.
Moreover, why are we speaking about media like they are some separate entity from Mars??? They are constituted very much by our own people - relatives, neighbours, friends. They are a part of our society. I say the fault is in the way our society (which very much includes you, me and all the people around us)has developed, that the media is reached such an amoral state.
"Have you, the media, forgotten to cover the stories of various NGOs that work day and night to give life to thousands of destitute, orphans, crippled and old people?"
Tell me if media starts writing a paper full of these how many will read it.. Given an option will you read Times of India/Deccan Herald or The Hindu??
Whats the point having a newspaper which is not being read at all? And this is not just the case with indian media.. It happens everywhere.. There are a lot of garbage newspapers in US too.. and ppl prefer them over The Statesman..
Lastly I liked the point where Anup said the ppl behind media are not from Mars.. They are one amonst us..
Yes i agree that there has to be a public awareness and self interest generated in terms of how we all should work to develop our country.. Then the public will appreciate news which focuses on the issues raised by u..