Letters to the Editor - Moneylife

Letters to the Editor - Moneylife



MEDIA AND SELF-REGULATION



Mainstream media did not like the strong criticism unleashed by Arvind
Kejriwal while speaking about the ‘Gujarat Development Model’ while
electioneering in Bengaluru on 15 March 2014. Mr Kejriwal used strong
words like: “Does the media have the courage to reveal the truth about
Gujarat?” And he added that some sections of the media ‘lied’ about
Gujarat’s development story. Naturally, this has fanned another
controversy around the leader of the Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP) which
perhaps suits AAP’s present need to attract publicity, positive or
negative, to remain in the limelight. Media response, which was at a
near black-out of Mr Kejriwal for sometime, might have surprised AAP
leadership.



By a strange coincidence, there was a coming
together of some eminent journalists on the same day (March 15) in New
Delhi. The panel discussion that followed the release of journalist
Sashi Kumar’s book Unmediate: Essays on Media, Culture, Cinema, took
serious note of the development and made some balanced comments which
call for a re-look at the self-regulation aspect of media houses in
India.



There was near consensus that the media should be open to criticism
that is ‘legitimate’. Sashi Kumar expressed the view that when Mr
Kejriwal criticises the media, he does so with the knowledge that there
is antagonism within the public towards media. N Ram of The Hindu was
more open when he said, “Unfortunately when people outside the media
criticise us, we have a very thin skin,” identifying
hyper-commercialisation and trivialisation as some of the ills plaguing
the media.



The panel concluded that there was a strong case for professionalism
and codification of values and practices and felt that there was scope
for further improvement in self-regulation, especially in the visual
media. The Press Council of India, which has representation from the
newspaper industry, should play a proactive role in improving
self-regulation.



MG Warrier, by email

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more