DUAL ROLE OF THE MEDIA- CREATOR AND DESTROYER

                                                                     Media occupies a significant position in the present world where no one can deny the ever increasing relevance of media as an ideal watch dog. Media played momentous role in almost all important events in the contemporary world. From ousting the Egyptian Dictator Hosni Mubarak from power to the large scale youth agitations against the brutal gang rape  of a Delhi girl media was instrumental and vibrant in garnering the public opinion for popular causes. Nobody can deny the crucial role played by the Indian media in digging up the tainted stories of major political scams in India ranging from the 2G Spectrum to the recent irregularities involved in the chopper deal from Italy. While admiring the overall merits of media that help in creating a vibrant and successful democracy one cannot turn down the reactionary played by the media demoting the values and virtues of society as a whole.

                                                            In this paper this writer will be concentrating more on the destructive and reactionary nature of the Newspapers and T V channels in Kerala rather than passing some general statements on the entire media industry India. This author is particularly concerned about the stand and position of some media houses in Kerala with respect to some recent issues relating to the communal amity and harmony of the people. Kerala, the so called cradle of progressive values and culture slowly but steadily losing its acclaim as a land of religious tolerance and communal amity. Here the whole blame goes back to the media as they never take neutral positions in the recent debates that rocked the state for many days. Kerala media has a glorious history. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishnapillai who fought tooth and nail against the autocratic ways of Sir C P was a major inspiration for the Malayali journalists. But the new generation journalists and media houses in Kerala conveniently forget his ideals of moral uprightness and ethical journalism and come up with their own ‘ideals’  in a relentless effort to promote business and increase readership.

                                                The following paragraphs will be throwing light on the damaging part played by some of the leading media houses in Kerala in connection with some controversial issues in recent times. Let me begin with the Caste equations in Kerala. Here the author will be taking utmost care not to be carried away by any political leanings or organizational interests. In the first hand the author has no particular affinity towards any particular ideology. But this writer has a strong feeling that in the progressive land of Kerala each and every community should get their due share and credit in all spheres of life. All sections of people in Kerala have contributed immensely to make Kerala what it is now. And no one can claim an upper hand projecting their organizational set up or influential position in the society. But media instead of taking a unbiased position in such cases many a time carry inflammatory remarks and obnoxious contents that has the potential to undo what we have done so far in our tireless works to build a nation without any prejudice or favour in terms of religion or community. When a Particular party claimed for a ministerial berth, media painted it in a communal colour. Furthermore, it gave more vigour and impetus to the already rampant campaigning against a particular community procuring everything under political influence. That was a mean gesture from a responsible media. Instead of highlighting the quality and merits of leaders, the media deliberately played with the caste sentiments of people stooping to the level of priceless lobbyists in the corridors of power politics. There was a huge hue and cry calling for a united attempt by the majority to topple the plans of minorities to devour the entire land in one breath. Here the important questions come to the fore. Don’t the media have a moral and ethical responsibility towards society? Apart from promoting their business and increasing viewership do they care for the larger interests of society?

                                                The answer for the above queries will be no, if we make a close reading of the Kerala media. On many occasions they lose sight of the media ethics and responsible journalism in a mad pursuit of business promotion and enhancing sales. Another important issue which this writer would like to mention here is about the double standard of certain media houses in Kerala when it comes to minority issues. While there was the ‘love jihad’ controversy almost all media houses-visual and print-joined hands and showed unprecedented skill in spreading lies and selected half-truths. But after a great deal of research and investigation the Kerala police even denied the presence of any such organized attempts or moves to convert others to Islam. But the shameless media never confessed or even published an apology to console those who hurt and got their images damaged by the endless media smear campaign and mudslinging. When a terror plot comes to light, the media moguls suddenly jumps to the scene and starts giving sensational and unpalatable stories keeping a particular community always under the shadow of doubt.