Last year during the Anna hazare revolution, I met a journalist from Reuters, who although himself was a foreigner to the Indian land however, he probably had more knowledge about Indian politics than perhaps I myself, having been lived India for almost 20 years. That was a big surprise.
Early this year, when a respected Indian newspaper circulated an advertisement against its arch rival, it created a wave in the hearts of Indians. Not only did a large number of people (at least people who i interact with usually) made a huge change in choice of newspaper for The Times of India (an old favorite) to The hindu (the not so classy newspaper). This was expected thanks to the tasteless puns and the colorful world of The Times, along with its website full of brimming with images of semi nude celebrities and page 3 girls doing the talking
But for one thing, people often tend to stay away from the Hindu is due to its musty English, that would for sure put you back to sleep in case you headed to the newspaper right early in the morning. The hindu although retains itself to the idea of impartial journalism, but is so remote from the idea that it perturbs you especially when not in mood.
Had this been restricted to newspapers was fine (Since most of the newspapers are available online and its google news that makes that easier to me to follow my heart), but that whole insane idea gets into the television, i am once again disturbed.
Most Indian TV channel have special journalist who are ready to take split the hair when it comes to reporting and especially reporting late at night, when I usually get to watch this idotic box. Over and over, they will tell you stories about the unseen ghost or the witch who wants an onion from your house or sometimes they will ask not to sleep till 12 to avoid bad omen.
Although a few Indian channels (say NDTV) try to remain honest to the job of a journalist and probably I beleive amongst the very few, apart from obviously The Indian express and Hindustan times. However, this was some data I could collect as I was going about this post
The Times of India and its sister newspaper The economic times have often been publishing advertisements as a news article, often to influence consumer thinking. In a story later, both these sister newspapers . The piece ended with an unusual ending “The trip to Yavatmal was arranged by Mahyco Monsanto Biotech”.
The New York aggravated the story further when aletter published on it told about an Indian newspaper chasing a businessman of giving considerable stake in its firm in exchange of favorable media coverage. Later, the same article points out Sushma Swaraj accepting the fact “that she was offered favorable media coverage during national elections last year in exchange for 10 million rupees, or $220,000.”
It is a well known fact for Barkha Dutt of NDTV fame “who is accused of acting as a power broker in
negotiations involving big business and the government over allocation of cabinet seats.”
Further “Dutt (herself) and Vir Sanghvi of Hindustan Times are heard in separate conversations discussing who should be in the cabinet with influential lobbyist Niira Radia, who was pushing for A. Raja, a south Indian regional politician, to be reinstated as a minister.” (of telecom. Google up 2 2G scam India for more)
In one of its article last year (I could get the source now), The Times itself had pointed about the use and abuse of media by the Congress Government, wherein it wrote how the congress government under Indira Gandhi used to punish media houses time and again, for publishing articles about the mismanagement of its own government. Activities included cancellation of electricity and imposition of heavy fines over such houses
Should be TRUST OUR MEDIA .. DO REPLY,.,,
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