Does media play its ethical role in 21st century?

Dr Sonali Sahu

Media is referred as fourth pillar of democracy. It not only keeps the democracy alive and thriving but also updates us with abundant information of the entire globe. But various news on TV, interrogation style of few unprofessional reporters, some monotonous and fierce live debate of delegates, unrefined, fabricated and exaggerated stories changed my perception on media.

It did hurt me immensely by observing the miserable and obnoxious picture of today’s media. As it had been meant for showcasing the inefficiencies of every private and government sectors, broadcasting insightful programmes and making us updated with state and country affairs but on the contrary the gentlemen of society started getting afraid of this word because of the startling and astonished activities of few of media people. Without gathering perfect information and instead of understanding the whole situation, media people scream on camera with conviction and come to conclusion as if they are the eyewitness of the entire incident.

There may have various reasons, psychological factors and conspiracy behind every happening. Hearing the statement of one particular person and watching the crocodile tear of a single characterhow can someone give judgement that one is wrong and another one is right.

Are all men culprit and women correct in every story? Identically can we blame all women are same seeing the brutality of a few? Its not about gender, it is all about human being and his conscience what he forgets during crime.

Recently, I came across few incidents on TV which made me feel sick and shook miserably. One mother lost her four young sons and media people keep asking innumerable questions to the despondent mother that how she feels now without her sons, how will he survive in coming future?

Few days ago, a doctor who was lately married committed suicide. Instead of sending a valid message to the society that suicide is not the ultimate solution for youngsters, respected pseudo reporters ask his parents; did the couple had fight last night? is the girl not an apt choice for the boy? Does the girl have any affair?  It is unquestionably preposterous, ridiculous and absurd.

I stumbled across an exasperating incident in Berhampur recently. One lady was demanding her rights from in laws, sitting all day and night on the veranda. People gathered all around her enjoying the show passionately. Media was also wholeheartedly and enthusiastically active to defame the boy’s family relentlessly. Does anyone from their family and audience have valid proof to declare culprit any one from both of them? They are matured and with conscience went against the will of their parents, remained together and had sex. There might have various whys and wherefores of this split. Why media people are eager to telecast each and every activity of that particular lady in every channel. Literally it spreads a wrong communication to society where marriage comes with unfathomable questions. Anybody now comes with a threat to call media on demand of impossible things. Is media a threat to defame people? Is media of them who has money.

Media can’t be bought in my country. It is meant to widen and extend our knowledge with extensive information. Live vibrant debate of few delegates withtheir mellifluous voices is genuinely mesmerizing and insightful. Whereas live debates of few channels are very scary and petrifying. I am puzzled to see how people try to prove their points in debate by screaming and shouting. It can be justified in a most well-mannered and gracious way.

We used to watch DOORDARSHAN in our childhood to learn various things. SCERT programmes, moral stories of Vikram Betal, puzzles of math, magic demonstrations were really the most deserving and awaited shows. In lieu telecasting irrelevant news, adultery, infidelity of couples, suicides, heart thrilling murders and crimes are disheartening to watch in naked eyes. Wife kills husband, brother murders another brother, son abandons parents, daughters demand property from parents should not occupy media completely. Beyond that there are a lot of discerning things what media can spread to lighten our knowledge. Even the worst things can be presented in a most desirable way to convey a right message to society to make people aware. Yes, only media can bring a revolution. Rather being affective it must be effective.

The writer is a teacher at Mount Litera Zee School, Berhampur, Odisha