Antiseptic Media:

November 15/2014 : Are we, journalists, septic in our thoughts and actions?  May be so! That is how, probably, most of us are being perceived today. And that could be the reason how a local politician and a nationalized bank’s manager dared to offer Press Packs with a couple of hundred rupee notes in each of them. The media not only in Orissa but all over India and possibly in most parts of the globe, today, is compelled to hold aloft the torch of human freedom and justice. There are many reasons for this compulsion. A single Al Jazeera justifies its very existence in one of the most troubled regions of the world. On the other hand, a Barkha Dutt of NDTV or any of the multiple channels owned by Nita-Mukesh Ambani deride the very existence of impartiality in media. This is so because, not only that the owners’ interests will bias the character of news, but also because India is still in the process of maturing in its democracy and does not deserve such imbecility.

When scribes of Puri demonstrated their anger against them being meted out a behaviour that is unbecoming of their profession, it showed a faint but distinct glimmer of hope for the future. Murmers were heard that the newsmen objected to the presence of the currency notes primarily because the amount was too meagre. In other words, like one of the involved politicians also indicated, had the amount been bigger, the going would have been better. Imputations were cast that, later on the same day, newsmen at Bhubaneswar accepted similar Press Packs with an increased amount of three hundred. Undeniably, if this be true, shame be on those Bhubaneswar correspondents who proved they were prostituting themselves at the lowest price. It would be unfair towards the animal if these so-called journalists are compared with dogs. Even dogs choose who to accept food from.    

In the recent history of India, commencing from Bofors up to 2G and Coal Block scam, it is primarily the print and to some extent the broadcast media which has actively participated in the strengthening process of Indian democratic society. The utter and uncaring greed being exhibited by corporates, bureaucrats, judges, politicos, police and anyone else in any position of power, has frighteningly gripped this country. If there be any force that could possibly meet this evil power head on to save India from certain disaster, it possibly is only the impartial and truthful media. While claiming this, let us accept that the media too is, to a large extent, dependent on business and politics  for its survival. When corporate culture is invading every vein of Indian society, the responsibilities on the media are getting that much heavier.

This is not a story of black and white. Sadly, the grey scale is too expansive and extremely dependent on particular situations. Sweeping statements are difficult to make or accept. Yet, why is it that India’s media persons are being repeatedly targeted by the police and hoodlums on the one side or are being proposed with cheap offers so as to quell their spirits. This is not a question. It is the process that is strengthening itself. The wheels of misfortune on the profession of journalism can only be reversed by journalists themselves. A decision to stop accepting free food, alcohol or cash inducements would certainly be a welcome beginning. The incident in Puri and the reaction of local journalists would be an eye-opener for anybody who cares for a free and impartial media. Journalists can either ignore it and go back into their hell holes or stand up now and prove that they are antiseptic.