by
waves
@ 2006-02-23 - 18:00:21
FADING VALUES
ARVIND K PANDEY
Journalists are no longer guided by progressive impulse.Glossing over abuse of ' the power of pen ' , it becomes clear that media persons ,in recent times , care least about objectivity and authenticity of facts . Being stripped of its ' guiding star ' attributes , journalism has now become ,akin to any other profession , a way to eke out livlihood. Yes , it has gone series of transformation to morph into profession from mission . Referreing to Sonia Gandhis speech at 10th anniverasry function of Outlook that ' all too often, we see needless sensationalism, we see the creeping ingress of what, for want of a better description, is known as tabloid journalism.' , I wish to state that not much importance should be given to such outpourings mired in preachy flavour . After all , she represents the party , which has produced highest number of crooks and corrrupts. A party which has been in the past guilty of cruelly sabotaging the freedom of not only press but of all those working whole -heartedly for the progresss of naion could not turn into advocate of transperency and fair play . Right from the Jeep scandal to the Volcker's report it has made ' double speak and ' misrepresentation ' part and parcel of India's work culture . Against this backdrop one should not be surprised if one perceives little difference between editor's room and dingy room located in the red light area. Both have apparently got reduced to centres of exploitation .
Talking about emerging pattrns in the field of journalism what's shocking that ' breach of an individual's privacy ' has turned into a norm .Considering the fact that Constitutional provisions are unambiguously aimed at its protection ,the frivolous mannerisms of journalists do not set high standards . To an extent the journalists seem to have borrowed their ethics from politicians who leave no stone unturned in toppling the career of their rivals .Look at the way juicy stories about Sanjay Joshi relation with his close BJP colleague, revelations of Amar Singh so-called fatalist conversations with his intimate friends and many other such trash news item are being hotly discussed among the media circles,the way these news items have taken edge over grim issues haunting the lives of the underprivilged. I would just like to know from these journalists why they are shy of addressing issues , which have compelled the happless citiizens to reel under unspeakable pains ? Why they are not pursuing the findings of investigative reports , leading to its final culmination in a fairest manner ? Shouldn't they be not only interested in their mega presentation but also take note of the subsequent developments ?
Though I am not against the expulsion of BJP MPs in cash-on-query ,the whole episode is gross violation of natural justice , something rightly pointed out by Vijay Kumar Melhotra .Though I appreciate the sting operations efforts in catching the people involved in murky deals , one cannot ignore the emergence of a disturbing phenomenon . Viewing it from a different angle, aren't they guilty of breaching one's privacy ? Again in a mad rush to expose the 'scandals ' haven't they encroached upon individual's right of natural justice as in most of the cases the appparently guilty people come to be branded offenders without given chance of proving their innocence ? Let's be very clear that at the heart of these operations is the urge to gain instant success instead of a honest desire to uproot corrupt malpractises prevalent in the society . So long they remain fuelled by ' sensationalism ' , I am afraid a conscious citizen would always be reluctant in giving them their due .They should stop being both accuser and judge .
In Judith Milllers case , the New York Times journalist sent to jail , it has been clearly established that law of the land is above the imunity provides in regard to source revelation .Journalists cannot enter into dubious deals , which act as threat for national integrirty .Infact , no one is above the principles enshrined in the constituition. .Given his penchant for appplication of fair means to achieve the end , I don't know how Gandhi wold have reacted to present age jounalistic notions , insisting on getting information by hook or crook .
Since there is a skeleton in everyone's cupboard , does it provide journalist license to expolit the individual? Ironically , the channels do not want to lose the opportunity of cashing -in -on man's natural flaws .Instead of allowing the person to rectify his mistakes , the channels ,acting both as an acccuser and judge , wipe out all the possibilites of the offenders healthy revival .Just see what grim turn Gudiya's life has taken becuse of mindlessness on part of the TV channels .The trials and tribulations of Gudiya have been put to rest by death .However, she has left behind some disturbing questions .It's evidently clear that had TV channels kept themselves away from her life , her pains would not have escalated to such grim heights. Ironically, mushrooming TV channels seem to thrive on breach of an individual's privacy. Instead of cashing -in-on the agony of individuals , it's better they learn to ponder over the impact of entertainment cum news stories .Why can't they understand that such disturbing inroads into one's life open the can of problems for sensitive souls , which soon get shaped into volcanic events over which he/she has no contro l.One expects that in future people's pains would not turn into a channel's pride ! Cetainly , it's time for the media to do some introspection to set high precedents in future .Let 'breaking news ' don't break innocent lives .
on't whistle at the girl going out from here .She may be your grandmother ".
LAYING DOCTOR -DOCTOR