Newspapers Misguide

The providers of information have the responsibility of presenting the correct facts so as to help the readers form informed opinions and views.
But there is a sea wide gap between the “should” and “is” of journalism and newspapers today. Most papers are biased towards a certain viewpoint which they propagate tirelessly and ridicule any different thinking. Publishing sensational newspapers has become as commercialised as it possibly can. It is not a social obligation anymore. Most of the print is nothing but pure publicity.

Nothing can be taken on face value anymore. The same piece of news will have different, and many a time contradictory, aspects in different papers. What should one trust…?
There is manipulation of news at all levels – from journalists to editors to press owners. And sadly in such a noble profession, money has become paramount in place of the accountability towards the right of freedom of speech.

Our government and bureaucracy is neck deep in corruption. Most of the ministers have only one care in the world – power. So much so, that the political parties think in terms of gains to them or loss to the other parties… but none spares a thought for the citizens. In such a scenario, the papers must bring to the fore front issues that have been deprived of their deserved attention and concern. Spending endless newsprint on personal publicity of a select few won’t do the country any good.

The media must become the public voice and bridge the gap between the citizens and their chosen representatives. Furthermore, newspapers should bring to light all that takes place within the political circles for the public to facilitate them in casting their votes judiciously during elections. The newspapers today are mere puppets in the hands of the politicians, thus breaking down the auto-check mechanism. They misguide the public by stating what the people in power want them to, hence abandoning their purpose of existence.

Newspapers are supposed to be the reflection of the society. What kind of a society are we turning into, which considers the personal lives of people, published without their consent, as a source of entertainment…?

Many articles are published without any supporting evidence. What kind of basic value system, if any at all, would papers carrying such articles represent…? Is their authenticity not questionable…? The facts are twisted, chopped, cooked and spiced up to denature the truth. Is the public not considered worthy or intelligent enough to know and handle the reality…?

Words are the most powerful weapon. Their tone and meaning has the strength to bend the mind of the readers. Misconstruing information, having a biased attitude, settling personal scores, or neglecting their liability towards the society is not expected from the upholders of truth.
No excuse can justify irresponsible journalism.


PS : Will be posting few write-ups on topics given as an assignment... this is the first in the series.