Article on Media : Daily GreaterKashmir

TOWARDS A RESPONSIBLE MEDIA : GREATER KASHMIR (20.02.2009)

JAMMU AND KASHMIR'S LEADING DAILY
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Op-Ed
From Part Reality to Mass Reality
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TOWARDS A RESPONSIBLE MEDIA
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (IFS) urges media to be responsible for bringing a positive change in the society.The term media has wider connotations in different fields, be it social science, biological or chemical science or even social engineering and the like. But the agreed understanding is that media plays much similar role in different fields under “ideal conditions” be it a science or society itself. For the sake of communication we regard print and electronic modes of mass communication as media, and it is the explanation or definition which strikes our mind the very moment we hear the word “media” – perhaps that indicates our social responsibility and concern as well. The print and electronic media has undergone a tremendous transformation process especially in past decade and a half viz-a-viz technology, duration of transmission, outreach, and broader coverage, lightening speed of communication in electronic media and fundamental transformation of the print media as well. With electronic media attaining new heights the print media has not been left behind but the latter has created its own niche and a committed section of readers comprising majority of population in the country. Moreover there is no denying the fact that the media has come to stay in our present society as an opinion-maker and leader of the masses. When the media has made deeper inroads into the rural hinterlands and has become an unalienable part of urban society it is pertinent for every concerned citizens and media professional that whether media is coming true to the expectations of it being a responsible and effective tool for social change and social transformation? Whether the media has contributed its share to the inclusive development of the society? Or it has displaced the commonly accepted social goals as well as ideals enshrined in the constitution. The answers will be of varying degrees which can definitely be arranged on a scale from the worst to the best or from irresponsible to responsible. It is the time to introspect what role media ought to play for an equitable development of the society and enable all-round development of citizens. After the executive, legislature and judiciary it is the press (media) which has rightly been termed as the fourth pillar of democracy. It enjoys tremendous freedom of expression but should also withstand the social scrutiny at the same time. The vital role of media in progress of the world’s largest democracy can hardly be undermined but at the same time as responsible citizens we have to take care that in the name of freedom of speech and expressions fallacies are not propagated against any section of the society or any particular region which we have witnessed in past couple of months in a section of media across the country. It is the need of the hour that the common citizen reminds media of its social responsibility and the later does it best for a social transformation and social change. The impact media can make on the lives of the citizens can best be understood in its outreach across the demographic and geographic dimensions. With the technological innovations, competitive economy and healthy promotional policies of the government starting 1990s the media has crossed all the geographical, demographic and linguistic barriers to reach the remotest areas and majority of the population in the whole country. Today radio covers more than 95% of the rural population and satellite television coverage pockets 80% population and approximately 90% of the geographical area. More than a dozen round-the-clock major news channels are on an “exclusive-news” spree every moment everyday and apart from that regional channels especially private and also DD Regional Kendras have mushroomed over a period of time. Today we have more than hundred round the clock channels with often nothing to watch. The figures speak a lot about the possible impact of media on the “Indian mindset” and there is a larger debate going on, every now and then, in the intellectual circles that whether perceived notions and part realty are presented as facts or the media is fair enough to present the distributive justice and stand tall on a public scrutiny of the contents presented either for mass consumption, creating awareness, presenting facts, or propagating perceived notions even. The constructive and destructive role of media is understood by each one of us and at the same time we are aware that in the garb of freedom of speech and expression many misgivings are also propagated and media also in many instances has been used as an effective shield by the rich and the powerful. The question arises: has media become an elite luxury or is here to stay for betterment of masses? The answer becomes evident if one switches to the news channels on the air. Any able-minded person could make out the special leaning followed by many of the channels which is unhealthy for a democracy to work. A particular news item will be presented from different angles by different channels – though each one of us has an opinion on the happening and need not necessary that we think alike as we have to have a health critic and right to differ but at the same time false realities should not be imposed of the public at large. This is a serious cause of concern. The arrest of an influential goon in a metro will be termed as such by some, harassment of responsible citizen by other, and presented with religious intolerance angle by many others. There are only a few private news channels which can be termed a holistic and all-inclusive for a healthy society, with almost something for everyone to watch and a fair trial of the news, views and analysis. The Government owned Doordarshan and its chain of regional Kendras has done fairly well but unfortunately considered by most of us as having outlived its utility in the fast moving cable television. The golden era of Doordarshan may be over but still it has come up a long way and diversified across the country with respect it coverage, content and reach. And as we have observed in past many years media, especially at the national level, has often been biased against a one particular section or the other, thus the objectivity and value neutrality went missing in many cases of serious concern for the society in general and the affected people in particular. Another flaw affecting the media has been the presentation of part reality which of course is bound to be presented out of context in a vague manner which causes misinterpretation leading severe differences of opinion and brewing hatred. Is that the role media should play? Or it should work out a constructive role for social transformation. At the same time media has a role in exposing the misgivings of those who willfully ignore the facts to present a damaged picture of the facts to substantiate their argument. Few days back I had an opportunity to see a debate on an Islamic channel with a renowned scholar replying to the queries of the people gathered there belonging to different faiths and religions. A question was posed regarding talaq, the person asking question seemed to have concluded that Muslim women are treated the worst in the world and can be given talaq at any moment on bare discretion of the husband without any justified reason. Ironically the person got that picture form a book written by the nationally acclaimed author and senior BJP leader Arun Shourie in his book released a year back wherein he has quoted from the holy Quran that women ought to be treated that way and are at the mercy of husband. About a thousand audience in the hall and tens of thousands watching television at homes across the countries would have bought that ideology propagated by Mr Shourie and quoted by the person posing query at this function had the scholar not presented a right and convincing reply that too in the light of holy Quran and the same chapter and verse quoted or misrepresented by Mr Shourie. The reply was that the author had taken a part of a particular verse and presented it out of context. To draw an analogy he contested that one can say that in holy Quran it is mentioned that “don’t offer prayers” and question why Muslims offer prayers. He went ahead to say that, yes it is written there but it goes like this: “don’t offer prayers when your are unclean or in bodily pollution” and to put it that holy Quran impresses upon the Muslims not to offer prayers still they do, will be a cruelest sin. This was just a minor example to show that how minor things can snowball into wildfires with issues not let to settle down claiming the peace, tranquility and brotherhood in a secular society. Similar things are done by media many times thus the very concept of social cohesion is held hostage for the convenience and desire for recognition, by any means, for few. So, instead of creating such controversies and giving push to fallacies by presenting part realities out of context it is high time the media should seriously take up the social responsibility in letter and spirit. The freedom accorded to media should not prove detrimental to the public good and social welfare but it should complement and add-on for a peaceful and progressive democratic society. Technological innovations have made the news broadcast even faster than our thought process and it is a given fact that we easily take up whatever is presented by the media in most of instances so the latter should always feel obliged towards this responsibility of the faith reposed by the public in free media. It has rightly been said that it is media which can bring change without book, that is a change without formal education but it definitely adds to the education process as well. The long list family serials on the satellite channels apart from presenting thrillers and many times glorifying western culture undermining our own rich cultural heritage, should also think if presenting a message for society through these serials. It is worthwhile to mention here the newly released film Ghajini which has emerged as movie standing apart from the traditional Bollywood love stories, with e social message against child abuse and human trafficking and shows how some socially concerned persons do not care about their own life when it comes to social responsibility. And all of us know that the actor-producer Amir Khan is known for producing too less movies but with a bigger social message, be it Lagaan, Taare Zamin Par or the latest Ghajini. Many more actors and producers in the industry are also surely doing that but at the same time glorifying violence and attributing terror to a particular community or region also has been a Bollywood bastion which could hardly be ignored. Some television are specially designed for education like Gyandarshan and others also present dedicated programmes on social themes and rural development. In the era of global village we ought to think how best the benefits of advanced information and communication technology could reach the masses. Media should effectively deliver on the front of information and awareness creation and dissemination. The best tool to awaken the masses to take up their responsibility as well as to be aware of their rights and duties is none other than the print and electronic media. It remains an effective tool of socialization and social education by means of propagating societal norms and values as well as presenting newer advances in different fields, presenting their different aspects so as to make the public best judge to decide on the issues therein. The constructive role played by media will prove to be a boon for society otherwise it can well be a bane. Since it is a given fact that everyone of us has taken something from the society and we owe a lot to society so little contributions one must make to social well being taking it as a social responsibility and for media it can be termed as Media Social Responsibility since media definitely draws its freedom and strength from the society of which it is part and should not be seen as separate entity in conflict with the social norms, values and morals or those of a particular section of the society.
(Dr Shahid Iqbal, IFS is Dy Conservator of Forests)
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