India now has a disconnect between the mass media and mass reality. Often the media concentrate on some Potemkin villages where all is glamour and show business.
Underdeveloped countries like India are passing through a transitional stage, between a feudal-agricultural society and a modern-industrial society. This is a painful, agonising period. A study of the history of England of the 17th and 18th centuries and of France of the 18th and 19th centuries, shows that for them such periods of transition were full of turbulence, turmoil, revolutions, intellectual ferment, and social churning. It was only after going through this fire that modern society emerged in Europe. India is going through this fire. The barbaric ‘honour killings' in parts of the country of young men and women of different castes or religion who get married or wish to get married, among other incidents, show how backward we still are — full of casteism and communalism.
India's national aim must be to get over this transitional period as quickly as possible, reducing the inevitable agony. Our aim must be to make India a modern, powerful, industrial state. Only then will India be able to provide for the welfare of its people and get respect in the world community.
Today, the real world is cruel and harsh. It respects power, not poverty or weakness. When China and Japan were poor nations, their people were derisively labelled ‘yellow' races by Western nations. Today nobody dares use such terms as they are strong industrial nations. Similarly, if we wish India to get respect in the comity of nations, we must make it highly industrialised and prosperous. For this, our patriotic, modern-minded intelligentsia must wage a powerful cultural struggle, that is, a struggle in the realm of ideas. This cultural struggle must be waged by combating feudal and backward ideas, for example, casteism and communalism, replacing them with modern, scientific ideas among the masses.
The media have an extremely important role to play in this cultural struggle. But are they performing this role?
No doubt, the media sometimes refer to farmer suicides in different States, the price rise, and so on, but these form only a small part of their coverage — maybe 5 to 10 per cent. Most of the coverage is given to cricket, film stars, astrology and disco-dancing.
Sadly, India now has a disconnect between the mass media and mass reality. Here are a few facts from a speech delivered by P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu and Magsaysay award winner, on September 6, 2007 in Parliament House in the Speaker's Lecture Series.
•The mass reality in India (which has over 70 per cent of its people living in the rural areas), is that rural India is in the midst of the worst agrarian crisis in four decades. Millions of livelihoods in the rural areas have been damaged or destroyed in the last 15 years as a result of this crisis, because of the predatory commercialisation of the countryside and the reduction of all human values to exchange value. As a result, lakhs of farmers have committed suicide and millions of people have migrated, and are migrating, from the rural areas to the cities and towns in search of jobs that are not there. They have moved towards a status that is neither that of a ‘worker' nor that of a ‘farmer.' Many of them end up as domestic labourers, or even criminals. We have been pushed towards corporate farming, a process in which farming is taken out of the hands of the farmers and put in the hands of corporates. This process is not being achieved with guns, tanks, bulldozers or lathis. It is done by making farming unviable for the millions of small family farm-holders, due to the high cost of inputs such as seed, fertilizer and power, and uneconomical prices.
•India was ranked fourth in the list of countries with the most number of dollar billionaires, but 126th in human development. This means it is better to be a poor person in Bolivia (the poorest nation in South America) or Guatemala or Gabon rather than in India. Here, some 83.6 crore people (of a total of 110-120 crore) in India survive on less than Rs.20 a day.
•Eight Indian States in India are economically poorer than African states, said a recent Oxford University study. Life expectancy in India is lower than in Bolivia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
•According to the National Sample Survey Organisation, the average monthly per capita expenditure of the Indian farm household is Rs.503. Of that, some 55 per cent is spent on food, 18 per cent on fuel, clothing and footwear, leaving precious little to be spent on education or health.
•A report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations shows that between 1995-97 and 1999-2001, India added more newly hungry millions than the rest of the world taken together. The average rural family is consuming 100 kg less of food than it was consuming earlier. Indebtedness has doubled in the past decade. Cultivation costs have increased exorbitantly and farming incomes have collapsed, leading to wide-scale suicides by farmers.
•While there were 512 accredited journalists covering the Lakme India Fashion Week event, there were only six journalists to cover farmer suicides in Vidharbha. In that Fashion Week programme, the models were displaying cotton garments, while the men and women who grew that cotton were killing themselves at a distance of an hour's flight from Nagpur in the Vidharbha region. Nobody told that story except one or two journalists, locally.
Is this a responsible way for the Indian media to function? Should the media turn a Nelson's eye to the harsh economic realities facing over 75 per cent of our people, and concentrate on some ‘Potemkin villages' where all is glamour and show business? Are not the Indian media behaving much like Queen Marie Antoinette, who famously said that if people had no bread, they should eat cake.
No doubt, sometimes the media mention farmers' suicides, the rise in the price of essential commodities and so on, but such coverage is at most 5 to 10 per cent of the total. The bulk of the coverage goes to showing cricket, the life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, astrology…
Some TV channels show cricket day in and day out. Some Roman emperor was reputed to have said: if you cannot give the people bread, give them the circus. This is precisely the approach of the Indian establishment. Keep the people involved in cricket so that they forget their economic and social plight. What is important is not price rise or unemployment or poverty or lack of housing or medicines. What is important is whether India has beaten New Zealand (or better still, Pakistan) in a cricket match, or whether Tendulkar or Yuvraj Singh has scored a century. Is this not sheer escapism?
To my mind, the role of the media in our country today must be to help the people in their struggle against poverty, unemployment and other social evils and to make India a modern, powerful, industrial state.
For this, scientific thinking should be promoted. Science alone is the means to solve this country's problems. By science I do not mean physics, chemistry and biology alone. I mean the entire scientific outlook, which must be spread widely among our people. Our people must develop rational, logical and questioning minds, and abandon superstition and escapism. For this purpose the media can, and must, play a powerful role.
The nation is passing through a terrible socio-economic crisis. Artists, writers and mediapersons must start acting responsibly and help the people solve their problems. And this they can do by focussing on the real issues — which are basically economic — and not by trying to divert people's attention to non-issues.
The Urdu poet Faiz wrote: Gulon mein rang bhare bade naubahaar chale/ Chale bhi aao ki gulshan ka kaarobaar chale. Urdu poetry often has an outer, superficial meaning, and an inner real meaning. The real meaning of this sher is that the objective situation in the country is ripe, and patriotic people to come forward to serve the country. (The word ‘gulshan' ostensibly means garden, but in this sher, it really means the country.)
(Markandey Katju is a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The first part of this article was published yesterday.)
Keywords: freedom of press, journalistic ethics, farmer suicides, Food and Agriculture Organisation, feudal-agricultural society, modern-industrial society
I agree with the Justice Katju. There is no denying the fact that Media is biased. But do we realize how that very Media is funded? Where do they get the money to run the show? The more the viewer ship/readers, the more money is generated and with such intense competition in the media, TRPs have gained a lot of importance. Thus the massive disconnect in mass media and mass reality. It's the people who watch these shows and read these papers who can make a difference.
@Arvind, I completely agree with you. It is really difficult to propogate scientific spirit among the masses unless they are also thought to question it. And for this, social sciences and humanities have to be given due attention and be developed alongside as well. Let us not forget that industrial revolutions in the West were preceded by social and intellectual revolutions first. Even China had to undergo a 'cultural' revolution however disastrous it may have been on certain fronts in order to rise to its current status.
Execellent article and also makes more interesting as well as furious about the future of media.Now the media in the hands of politician or commercial organisation or to serve for the people? Another side it have more disadvantages like more advertisement, with glamour pictures etc.. There is no media ethics only media tactics..
Media acts as the Information Agent but the arena where the actual fight has to be fought each one of us have to take charge.One of us gets corrupt each day be it a media person , a doctor or a politician so where shall we point the figure? Both the good and the bad exists everywhere but what matters is what we are consciously choosing and thinking of.
This is a very nice article. Indian media, both print and television are self funded, driven by revenue from ads and customer subscriptions and it cannot be ignored. A balance of coverage between issues of concern to people and contents that are purely of sports and entertainment in value are needed and I am glad that it is being served by the reputed English and regional news channels as I observe from overseas. It also needs to be noted that TV channels focus more on India while print media fills plenty of worthless international news on the front page that well belongs to the inner pages. The recent agitation against corruption being brought live (across the globe) by the news channels is worthy to mention and needs to be appreciated. Same goes to the Wikileak coverage in print media. It is very important for us to note of the role that print media played in our independence movement where Gandhiji personally wrote in newspapers awakening and mobilizing the masses for the civil disobedience and Satyagraha movements. We need to preserve the role to society that print media played historically while we evolve delivery through a mix of print, TV and Internet. Instead of competing with private channels, Doordarshan, our Govt media must focus solely on content of social and educational value on the lines of PBS in USA and not become a revenue generating source like it currently functions.
Really one of the best opinion The Hindu had ever published..Hope some more series will publish in related to freedom of press, journalistic ethics..etc... Really a timely awakening for all...
great article from a person who is an acclaimed intellectual and revered Judge of Supreme Court (also famous for giving wise judgements sometimes tough but always carrying a human face, full of quotes from our ancient scriptures juxtaposed with modern prose n poetry) . I think it's high time when media has to strike a balance somewhere between so called Viability and Responsibility.
Very nice article. It is sad but true that majority of our public media and print media focus primarily on cricket and other sensational reporting events. Some newspapers even dedicate their front page to advertisements and glamour than educating people on issues affecting their life and society at large.
With the advent of electronic media in India,the role of a journalist has become more relevant and challenging.In the 50s and 60s journalists inspired hope,confidence in the general public and awe and respect from all. Many newspapers barons also valued the principles and professional competency of journalists.But today there are about 600 TV channels in India and most of them are in the hands of bad politicians and unethical business houses.They are in a mad race to capture the market and political power.Most of them have little concern for journalistic ethics and social commitment. Instead of strengthening our democratic system, these media elements have become a big threat to our society.They are spoon feeding casteism, regionalism, and sensationalism.Particularly in the South,most of these TV channels are neck deep busy working for self-aggrandizement of some castes and political families.There is little to write home about on their commitment for the Woman and Religious matters.The less we talk about it,the better. Many of the'so-called' journalists of electronic media do not have proper training and knowledge about their role in the society.So much to their ethics. No Indian TV channels take feedback from the public or have regard for personal privacy.For us electronic media is a cheap means of entertainment and to advance the interests of some political and business families.To correct the situation, we must bring all media arms under social audit and are to be controlled by an independent regulatory body.
I commend Justice Katju for writing this article. The media should realize how powerful and influential it is on the the life of the commoners.They truly bridge the gap between the lay citizens and the elite administrators. One of the most sad aspects of themedia today is sensationalizing absolutely anything -from shoe-gates to wardrobe malfunctions,celebrity break ups to cricketers escapades and what not! What's worse? We have a voyeouristic readership who enjoy such news items.This kind of news item never seems to lose its sheen! Try instead a news piece on farmer suicides,floods,famine etc and what is noticed, pitiably, is general apathy.I expect no one would sit up and take notice until one fine day,the farmers decide to go on a strike!It's only when hunger pangs hit that the real will begin to matter. With due respect to their efforts and motives,if a Anna Hazare or Baba Ramdev threaten a hunger fast,the whole nation seems to take notice.The government is also worried. But somehow, millions of our farmers have been on continual hunger fast and nobody seems to care!Why is their hunger institutionalized? What's even worse?The educated population - You and I, realize there is something very wrong.And yet sit complacently on our large bottoms pointing fingers at someone else to take responsibility and change things.
The article written by Mr Jusice Katju is really very informative and eye opening. Cricket, astrology and cinema have become the tools of escapism not of entertainment. We must have to take the responsibility to make the Indian, powerful, modern and industrial state by facing the hard realities with real solutions.
Extremely well expressed opinion by the author. The author is in no way objecting that the viewers should be deprived of entertainment, but in a way magnifies the fact that entertainment easily satisfies an Indian audience as opposed to harsh reality which is the face of farmer suicides. Media operates in extremes unfortunately and one easily comes across non-issues on news channels, whilst what could actually be covered is real issues.
I completely agree with the author. The way certain media channels are highlighting the Baba Ramdev campaign is really sad. Since they cannot kill the message, they are rather trying to kill the messenger. Do they not understand that what guys like Hazare and Ramdev are doing is really what the people want. There has to be a real intellectual re-awakening in India like the Independence movement. The whole thought process and the philosophy has to change. We should be thankful to these activists for highlighting the real issues. The message is more important than the messenger.
The article has touched my heart. First of all great thanks to the author that he endeavered to bring such a journalistic marvel to the common people's perview. Almost all the contemporory issues concerning negligence of Indian agrarian society and rural folk have been deep dwelved into. Unfortunately, in India very few have been able to stand on the expectation. the media groups attracts high respect and adulation in millions of india's people, but media has been unable to bear the flag of people's expectation. People like armed forces for their valour in the battle field and hence they deserve it, too. but our media has beeen uable to do the similar job. THE MISPLACED PRIORITY has become order of the day. Ihe IPL and intertainment grabs entire print and electronic media coverage, while farmer doing sucide barely gets reported. Not to talk about going behind the facts to find the underlying root of the problem.what india facing is systematic problems as being part of a progressive nation. We had been a laggard for a millenia only due to the facts we couldn't trim ourselves with the changing reality to fit the bill. Now, luckily a motion has setup, please don't slow or derail the same. As we see media is controlled by business and political houses to promote their individual self in the guise of media coverage. Almost all media sources are shamefully looking as if they are nudely competing against their rivals to notch down one next level of audacity and pitty. The parameters what don't allow system change has been enjoying the status quo and they will do their best to avert any positive changes. what we expect media that it should accept the responsibility irrespective of monetory hardships, and other political and real problems. the article is praise worthy.
There is no use deriding the media or politician or the judiciary or the artists in India. All these institutions are just the reflection and are simply representative of our people . 20 Years before there were no Saas Bahu Serials on television and before Ramanyna and Mahabharat became huge hits there were no religious serials as well .Lets put the blame each time where the blame lies . The people of India at large have a pathetic sense of taste those who do not watch astrology on television are in a huge minority. Even the farmers watch 'saas bhi kabhi bahu thi' and not 'krishi darshan'. Just see what kind of bollywood films are a hit . Its the same old love story . Any change in the main story line makes it a 'not for profit' only for awards film. I cannot understand why no writer in India is ready to deride the people of India. Our majority likes astrology , we like melodramas , we like linkups of our filmstars ,even the farmers will not watch a serious story about farmer suicide . Our nation is corrupt, communal, castist ,irrational and its just that each of these are in such a way that they balance each other.For example the castist backward castes and the fundamentalist muslims balance the hindu communal forces .Can u blame the media for the kind decisions taken by khap panchayat in haryana endorsing honor killings.Can we blame media for the kind of attention Sai Baba's Death received when even Sachin and Manmohan Singh reacted the way they did . Not even 5 PERCENT of our people have a progressive taste. And they are buying books and spending time on internet. Television and newspapers are not for them.Its for the masses and reflects their taste.In this world full of choices you see what you want to see, hear what you want to hear.
From an HR standpoint, where you have sponsored media coverage, and the rest of the funding is gotten with Government nexus, media takes absolute sides, which only shows the reality. For example a certain media company cannot say anything against a certain party because of its funding mechanism, as that (funding) has been sponsored by that particular party. Journalists who have been educated, and graduate with Mass Communication degree are taught the correct codes of the Profession, the first of which is to be reporting 'facts', without 'bias'. Establishing opinion based on these facts, and not being influenced by any Institution in reporting such facts/opinion. However when they go to work for the media channels, they are forced to report the 'Organizational Focus', as that Organization for which they are working has already bought over influence. Do you realize what you have just done as a media company; two things, one you have automatically made him/her into a mediocre, as he cannot question, or rebel, but will have to report whatever is dictated by the Media Company, and two, he/she had come with a talent which will never be recognized. So you have professionals who are ready to be sycophants, and will go to any extent to go up the ladder. Well, they were never talented at the first place. The ones who were talented have already been crushed. So folks, we as a Country are killing talent en mass, and have been doing it for over a decade-and-a-half. Exceptions are always there, as exceptional Media Companies are also always there, but they are exceptions, not the rule. And no, if you as a media company owner do not have the neccessary funds by yourself, or methods to raise it, you need not have the Company at the first place. Don't worry, there will be quite a few others who do have the neccessary resources, and can get into the business themselves. The latter will not have to compromise, as funding is readily available. I just wish that Birlas, Goenkas, etc, take their stake back, as their companies are really creating havoc with the talent. What a waste!
It was nice to read the opinion about transition of India and Indians. Article emphasis on paradox of indian media is really worrying. It is the education system which should teach Ethics and need for ethics in UG and PG. The scientific minds are always present in India but the will to develop inner self is lacking somewhere. Thanks for giving food for thought.
The Truth has been distorted in India and we the masses have been kept in the dark, atleast for the past 10-15 years . While 77% of Indians languish below the poverty line , 'India Shining' is portyayed in the media .The misuse of media and the absence of 'true journalism' in India today is due to the growing nexus between media , corporate and politicians .First the ruling & Corporate class keeps the masses deprived and desperate . Then the media is used to provide them with 'escapism', instead of addressing real issues . From highly publicized unnecessary products to hyped frivolous political issues and most un-worthy politicians, unethical propaganda by the modern media is the most viral and dangerous flu in India today that is sparing only a 'thinking' few. Where once upon a time media had been a catalyst to development and awareness, today it has given birth to a mad race; a race that leads to nowhere; a race to destruction of the country . The vaulting ambition among the middle class in India to become insta-rich by any means is being driven by the vulgar display of riches and the glamorous lifestyle of the ultra rich picturised daily on our newspapers and on TV screens . If 'INDIA SHINING' is being shown on the 200 odd TV channels and in most newspapers / magazines, over the past few years , it is a conspiracy by the Corporate backed Polticians and Corporate owned MEDIA- to showcase an India that suits their SELFISH and SELF-SERVING cause . Else with 77% of the population still living below the poverty line , how can India be shining ? Bribed by the Corporate and Politicians , the media (not all ) in India avoids taking a stand on any serious social issues . Youth is the future of this nation and is the Indian media doing anything to EMPOWER the Indian youth or build NATIONALISM? Nothing ! Instead promotion and manipulation of society have become the agenda of such media in India today , to hide corruption and share the booty with the large corporations and politicians . 'Paid news' is one of the medium they use to achieve this objective .The mass media in India which are aware of their reach and influence present a picture larger than life, shirking their responsibility to provide their audience a broad sociological, psychological and truthful understanding of real issues afflicting the country . The remnants of ethical media , if any in India must come together and start taking action now.
this article seems to be anachronistic, there was a time when our media used to thrive on cricket,fashion,bollywood..but in recent times it has moved a way ahead..e.g. take the example of ANNA HAZARE movement, the great man himself acknowledged the fact that his movement attained this success only due to active media coverage and do not forget his fast started only 3 days after INDIA had its historic WC2011 win. Some news channel are actively taking up social causes like Green Movement, Tiger protection, Sporting culture in Indian society. And we also need to acknowledge the fact that, media is also a medium of entertainment for people. if you keep on showing stories realted to miseries only, most of the people would change the channels. to keep them glued to news channel you need to serve a little MASALA too. But one thing that is important that there should be a right mixture of entertainment and reality.
This is a well-intentioned article but suggesting that "the media ought to know better" is simply a little naive. In terms of the mainstream media, only the Hindu propagates the truth without sensationalism. There are far too many vested interests for other sections of the media, especially the electronic ones, to rigorously uphold its journalistic integrity, and in this case journalists (individuals) and their respective media bodies must be publicly named and shamed within the bounds of the law. I have mentioned before that to a large extent the media is a beast which must be able to tame itself, that is the bad behaviour of individual media entities must be policed within the larger media fraternity. It is insufficient to simply expect the media to be honourable. The stakes must be high for members of the media to adhere to the code of conduct lest they succumb to ubiquitous temptation.
The current day media highlights and gives flip to glamorous and often vulgar, unethical lifestyles - while neglecting the masses who are burdened with a plethora of problems. Instead of using their power to bring a positive change, these media outlets, as the author points, are playing 'circuses'. While the people suffer, some group of elite people are sitting and celebrating their days at the 'circus' - talk shows, lifestyles etc. This is actually criminal. Media houses are misusing the power they have over representing news to larger India, and if they don't fix up - they will be fixed up. However I cannot agree with the author on this point - "Similarly, if we wish India to get respect in the comity of nations, we must make it highly industrialised and prosperous." I don't know how industrialization is going to make a country more prosperous. As far as I know, industrialization in itself has brought a plate of big number of problems, and it is kind of economic activity which cannot sustain itself. Instead, we need to come up with economic models which will make people prosperous through sustainable development, not mindless industrialization. The author needs to note it.
The very first sentence "Underdeveloped countries like India..." has to be understood by the urban populace most of which, I believe, are under the wrong impression that India is a growing power in terms of economy. Only the GDP of our country, no surprise, which has one in every six humans in it has been growing. Assessing a country's development based on its GDP is unfortunately not appropriate. The fundamental problem with our country is the casteism and communal mentality and beliefs stemming from the religious fervour that our nation nurtures in all aspects of life. Unless we consider every citizen, every human as equal in all terms and not discriminate people based on their race, colour, profession etc. I am pretty sure we are never going to be a developed country. The Westerners have taken a lot of positives from old cultures such as ours and inculcated them into their cultures during their formative periods. What India lacks is to look beyond its own culture which for sure has several fallacies that we fail to recognise at the first place. Markandey Katju's article is a definite eye-opener but my worry is 'The Hindu' has not so wider reach in this country obsessed with gossip-reading. Almost all the Indian newspapers and other forms of media excepting 'The Hindu' are substandard and have never tried to promote scientific and unbiased rational thinking.
Surely a far better article than the first one in this series. However, both these articles are very narrow in their viewpoints and sort of immature in the suggested goals (eg., to be respected by others or being industrialized). It also shows that these authors are either unaware or inspired by the rich ancient Indian civilization. I highly suggest that journals recruit persons who may not write editorials that is simply in line with the political standpoint of journal, but is creative, comprehensive and reveals knowledge of the writer. I actually commend some of the comments written by the readers, who in my opinion can really contribute to journal viewpoint articles.
The fact that a Supreme Court judge is writing an article commenting on the role, and setting the agenda for our media, is in itself a sign of our backwardness. It seems to me that Justice Katju is more interested in trying to impress the readers than offer any suggestion of substance. Supreme court justices should maintain a stoic and dignified silence and refrain from writing bizarre articles like these which only serve to advertise the mediocrity of their thoughts. Frankly, this article frightens me. I dream of a day when our chief justices are slaves only to logic and reason and demonstrate professionalism of the highest kind. One of the main problems of our country is the intellectual stagnation which is a result of our influential institutions being based in the small frog-pond that is Delhi. We need more diversity in our intellectual discussions.
I appreciate the faith the author has on the Media. He believes that the media, if they want, can bring out real change in the society. I believe his expection is just. His article is loaded with historical indepths and modern longings and aspirations. I wish and pray that the media of today come up to his expectations. Instead of wasting time and money on what the people want, let the media make the people to like what they present to make a just and equal society where all enjoy equal rights not withstanding the caste or religion one belongs to.
The writer makes great points about the role of the media in countering the poverty and struggle of the so-called lower classes. I believe, however, that science alone is not the key to the solution. It is part of the solution only. In Europe or in America the promotion of science alone has led to their intensely materialistic and capitalistic values, and there is no concept of anything deeper - there is actually no more sense of community in America, in general. What a sorry state in a so-called developed country! This is not my hope for the Indian people of tomorrow. Science and spirituality need to go hand in hand together, and then we will see a truly enlightened India, a leader in all facets of human evolution. This has nothing to do with religion, as I have written in my book 'FROM INDIA TO THE TRUTH'. Rather, every individual needs to awaken inwardly, set aflame their spark of intuition, also known as the inner voice, which Gandhi extensively spoke about and taught, and then strive to connect the deeper world of existence with the present world, just as he did. Then we can see results, and India will blossom.
Most press still has the hangover of the colonial era. The new media is more of a court clown largely busy amusing public for the powerful and the state. And there is a lot more money now and a new business rule set. It appears that the eletonic news media is run by a few Delhi's school mates with bratish intellect. Sainaths have become few although they still have good readership.
Mr. Justice Katju's level headed analysis and his referral to Mr. Sainath's studies have impressed this seventy two year old man, who is only a naturalized American citizen..
I am ashamed that not a single Indian news paper has been able to reach the standard of the New York Times or the LA Times. By bringing out titillating photographs of young women and the pompous parties of the celebrities, sensational banner head lines, and "reports" that consist of information from reliable sources even the best English news papers in India has degenerated into over sized tabloids. And the English - "kids" for children among others!
Mr. Justice Chandrachur, who is one of Mr. Justice katju's predecessors, had commented that that the English news papers in India had hardly a sufficient number of readers as only 14% of the Indian population are high school graduates and a large proportion of the later can hardly finish reading paragraphs in English. Therefore in order to survive and preserve the national integration the English news papers must be able to throw the chaff out, must understand what is more important, and resist the temptation of canvassing for influential and moneyed people. Mr. Justice Chandrachur, so far as I remember, had suggested that the English news papers in India ought to intellectually stimulate their readers to preserve national integration in stead of depending on the emotional and visceral urge for the same by the Hindi movies.
Though 70% of the Bengalis live on farming only this morning an English news paper of Kolkata cared to inform us that the south west monsoon will be late by two weeks as late as at this morning.
This is a real powerful article. If we take responsibility and act now, our next generations can live in some healthy environment.
I would like to thank Mr. Katju for such a thought provoking article that will certainly remind not only the media houses of their priority and responsibility but also us of our duty as a citizen of this country. News channels show cricket, fashion, celebrity gossips and scandals because they sell as we give them importance. We can always make choice as to what we want to read or watch. Media run because we give them the push.
This is a brilliant discourse on the actual role of media. Media is a strong weapon which if used effectively can be used to constantly keep a vigil on the govt's activities. But quite disturbingly it isn't as expansive as it should be in highlighting the core issues facing our country. Also I am totally in agreement with the author's view to adopting a scientific approach and having a scientific outlook on myriad areas. A broader sense of responsibility is certainly lacking among the media people who hanker on covering sports and entertainment news to generate TRPs for their channel. Such disastrous profit motive has seared into the conciousness of the media leading to the anomaly in their actual responsibility.
Thank you for publishing this. I doubt that it would be permissible to publish such a trenchant article in China, and I doubt that any Supreme Court judge in the USA (my homeland) would write one.
A really nice article. Here media means not only news channles but also movies,stage shows, news papers, radio broadcasting,theater drama etc. Each and every part of media can play important role to pass the message of our dearth situation.And if these situation stated in article will be overlooked than india wont be able to become superpower in near future.
While most of the points of the author are pertinent in today's context,the article is not without its pitfalls. Like most of our politicians, in the formative years of our democracy, he too relied heavily on western countries for ideas and inspirations. Most of our present day problems are due to half baked ideas emanated from "Westernised Indians", who were our patriotic leaders.
The developed countries developed, because they developed ideas which are native and beneficial to the natives. Japan developed because of its strong work culture and many corporates encouraged the 'loyalty culture' of its work force, by desisting 'hire and fire' culture of America.
Our strength lies in family values and entrepreneurship. Our quality development is possible only by 'loose knit' small entrepreneurs in the form of co-operative societies and not by resorting to Socialism or Capitalism. Let us think as Indians and lest the over all development will remain a distant dream, frequented by farmers' suicides.
i guess not only media every citizen of india should take the responsibility to change the country and put in better position...
it was very nice article
Its real pleasure to see Mr. Katju, the learned judge of Supreme Court, speaking on ethics and media. Thanks for the "faiz" quote too.
Its commonly accepted that India and Bharat are altogether two different stories. While we have many millionaires, we have millions of paupers too. While we have people having millions to spend in one day, we have around 40 crore who live below Rs 20 per day (suresh tendulkar committee).
The cozy picture portrayed in 24 x 7 media is more about urban India and is in stark contrast with the picture of 20 kms outskirts of our metros. The victory in worldcup might be a reason to rejoice for some but majority of them are more concerned about daily sufferings. More bewildering is the reaction of young urban educated public who don't even acknowledge poverty in India and live in their own wells of 'india-shining'. The media (electronic) caters to such audiences who are more interested in affairs of filmstars, cloths of cricketers and all nonsensical chatter rather than issues of national importance.
Media has to play its rightful role in projecting the real Bharat and not the India where 10% of people live!! We must acknowledge that we still are one of the poorest nation in the world. Facts can't be hidden in glorious campaigns of self-congratulation.
All media mould the attitudes of its readers. Reckless media do not pay any attention to this. Paid media or partisan media mould the readers’ attitudes to serve their self-interests.
Most media in India simply imitate others in their profession and are particularly good at aping the western media. Their writings/sayings do not reflect any maturity and depth of understanding of the effects of careless reporting on readers’ attitudes. They are insensitive to children’s psychology. They are insensitive to the local culture and customs. They actively promote voyeurism in the name of fashion shows without caring for its effects on the young men’s attitudes towards women in India. The media very well know the problems women face every day in India, but their ritual of reporting stops there. Their responsibility towards women and children fades once lucrative amounts of money is involved. To begin with, they dump all the sleaze on to the people and then with audacity say that the people are addicted to it. This is analogous to a situation where a person is deliberately force-fed day-in and day-out on an addictive substance and once he becomes an addict, is blamed for his lack of personal responsibility and integrity! They expect the common man, the children and the young minds to be mature enough to select the media content, while they go scot-free enjoying the financial lure of promoting such crap.
Indian media are NOT western media; Indians are NOT westerners. Everything that suits westerners does NOT suit Indians. Like all Indians are NOT fools, so are all westerners NOT Einsteins. Cheap imitation does not serve Indians well. Being sensitive to Indians’ needs and values is NOT inferior. It is the blind aping of the western behaviour, that is inferior. Indian media in general need a lot of self-realization which would help them become truly responsible. Important newsprint like The Hindu could take the lead and show others the way. May I thank Judge Katju for his article.
"For this, scientific thinking should be promoted. ......Our people must develop rational, logical and questioning minds, and abandon superstition and escapism."
I am glad that the author clarifies the larger meaning of what he refers to as "science" or "scientific thinking". So the obvious question is: What are the activities that create a rational, logical and questioning mind? An important point in this context is to remember that these qualities are the primary ingredients in building a "scientific outlook" and not the other way round. I suggest that philosophical inquiry is at the heart of it. In other words to become truly meaningful/responsible and independent thinkers we need to revitalize education in the larger domain of Humanities! To illustrate this need let us consider the following example: the Green Revolution that started around sixties in India did achieve what it intended (through western science and technology motivations and implementation) but sadly only in the short term. In that, as a result of overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, the soil (and not to mention other ecological disasters) has become increasingly infertile/unusable. So what failed in this case? Was it science? I think we failed to have a proper understanding of not only the western scientific understanding/products but also the social reality of India and its ecology. We can learn a great deal from this history. So yes, we need to promote top notch Humanities education and research (which at present is extremely neglected, for example how many fellowships exist for funding scholarly work in philosophy/sociology/ethics as compared to those for hard sciences or mathematics?) along with other relevant programs.
Makes for interesting reading. But the media cannot be held entirely responsbible for the sorry state of affairs today. The writer seems to see a solution in a throw back to the times when media was a partner in 'development' and worked towards alleviating poverty and social evils. However desirable that may be, it is impractical in an era when media has to be commercially viable. Also media does not function in isolation. It is now part of a society that seems to lap up 'non-issues'. What perhaps is required is a concerted effort on all levels to move towards serious issues and hopefully, the media will follow suit!
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