Discriminating Media Glorifying Criminals
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We & They
When national news channels become prison centric in their newscast, thought flashes in the mind is it related to the custodial death or human rights violations, better known as 3rd Degree, or some corrupt practices, police known for. However one forgets that todays media part of Journalism is not community centric in a democratic setup but is glamour driven and market oriented. In the search for low cost news, media forgets what it must be costing the society and democracy.
The role expected from media in democracy is what they have drifted away. News is what caters a class of people their lifestyle and sympathizes with them. This is what people understands when channels tonality is sympathetic towards Sanjay Dutt. It is a fact, that Bombay Blast happened. It is a fact that there is group which made that happen. It is a fact that Sanjay Dutt is known to be in possession of Arms, which are dangerous in nature, and a criminal offence. It is a fact that the arms so possessed was through people from the same gang, linked to the Bombay blast. It is a fact that a case was heard under the TADA court and under Arms Act, Sanjay Dutt was declared to have a committed a criminal offence and so is a criminal, like any other before the law of the land.
However Media is almost a justice delivery system in India nowadays. Sometimes for good and many a times otherwise. Making and breaking images is what they boost of. Be it politicians or residents of the glamour world. Market knows what catches sentiments and media in the clutches of market forces knows what needs to be sold, and what sells well. The whole interview and sentimental clippings, with background music, in totally filmy style can make anyone feel sorry. However is this what happens when every criminal goes to prison and is media by differentiating between two citizens not deviating from its role of being partial? This are larger question, like many others which keeps people haunting in a withering democracy.
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