Lt Gen PS Mehta (Retd)
True reporting of events by media in a democracy is a boon. However, media – both print and electronic and now even social media are being exploited by various agencies thus losing its relevance and proving to be double edged. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth, first loyalty to citizens,as also to provide a forum for public criticism and compromise. Of late politicization of the media in the country has crossed all norms of ethics and security ethos. Endless debates, non-coherent and biased opinions, besides fish market arguments leave the viewers confused and with a bitter taste in the mouth. The anchors have more or less taken overthe reins and behave as if they are the National policy makers. Weird programmes run on the National Prime Time are akin to buzzing fish markets desperate to sell their products- just for TRP and business.Surprisingly, on many occasions some eminent speakers have during the course of such discussions raised serious objections and demanded removal a guest speaker or to gag him instantaneously on grounds of morality, sedition and / or anti national statements.
Anchors lose sight of the main issue and enforce their opinions by overpowering / suppressing the views / mike volume of the invited speakers, who the nation wants to hear. No media represents a National policy on its own, but only facilitates a platform in turn for voicing official / public opinions.The purpose of journalism is to provide such speakers or citizens with the opportunity to air their views regarding their lives, their communities, their societies, and their demands.Anchors should not suppress or restrain the views of participating guests who want to air their views for a purpose.
On Kashmir, debates in specific should be free and fair, so as to hear views of various speakers to get to know their psyche besides ground realities as they exist. It would allow the public to know and assess the degree of the indoctrination / radicalization of the masses / youth, when observed through a clear lens and the cracks within the community exhibiting different opinions. This could form the basis of Governments future actions.
The Nation and the viewers are entitled to hear untampered opinions and the logic on which various important issues are burning in Kashmir, besides to judge the thought process and the zeal prevailing in Delhi to address the issue.Such disharmoniously conducted programmes deny the public / viewers what they were entitled to, hence losing its relevance. It is rather astonishing that our democracy is being taken for granted, a big ride and driven a bit too far.Unscrupulous language must be restrained and the entire debate should be made accountable. Argumentative discussions involving personal attacks and employing shockingly vulgar language, lacking culture and ethics lose the very purpose they were assigned. Why is there no semblance to good order and discipline? Anyone and everyone can air their views in measured rhythm – speech – volume – pitch -RSVP styled ethical rules of inter personnel communications. Limit to tolerance and twisting of rules must be defined and strictly followed.It is evident that the media agency needs a serious revamp.
“Kashmir” is being sold like pancakes just for TRP – subjected to illogical and in cognitive discussions under raised decibels and becoming a pain for public and the society. How is the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting allowing this to happen?Ironically this being the most important political issue lingering post partition? How are military and sub political events and orders being allowed to be washed openly in public? This leads to germination of biases, brewing hatred, criticism of security forces operations and spewing venom by fundamentalists openly on a national media platform? Why is this issue drifting for so long? The Media is making hay while the sun shines? What are the National agencies waiting for?Kashmir has become a topic of competition between channels and unfortunately spinning out more negativity than positivity, truth or the way forward.Kashmir is a serious subject and needs a National Audit.
Where have those intellectual Journalists vanished who had the elitism and aura around them? Those personalities who used to provide measured comments for the Government and the public?This Is, “All India Radio”(The National news at the prime time in those good old days) – Melvin De Mello- parents and kids were glued to the radio in full attentiveness. Politics and news was respected – where has all that been lost, why are we degenerating despite the availability of better education and modern technology? Probably the multichannel availability and the social media have got entangled into a mesh of competition selling non synthesized predictions of impending elections and security operations etc. Both media and politics are losing face and threatening the democracy. Some politicians have had the audacity of calling the COAS as gali ka goonda on his military statements / analysis. How can such politicians have the leeway of exploiting the media to air their unmeasured views?On the contrary important public functions and event with are meant for the society are being totally blanked out under direct orders of the Government, this is undemocratic and should not be permitted – a case in point is the latest address to the Ex-servicemen at Delhi by erstwhile Chief of the Army, now MP, Gen VK Singh (Retd).How has the democracy allowed itself to be flouted in a limitless manner? There has to be a method even in madness. Media has to be governed by strict rules.
Kashmir is a very serious business which Delhi and the State have yet to address correctly, emotionally and also to resolve. Delhi’sexperiments to supply free rice in abundance and pumping in huge sums of money to address the crisis / issue have not yielded results. Even the attempt to crush the insurgency by a disconnected Politico Military Strategy has failed miserably. There seems to no desire, urgency or even the dedication to resolve / care for the State and Communities affected -Muslims, Pundits and Sikhs. Lives of thousands of innocent souls lost over the last 30 years have to be valued, respected and ascribed the justice they deserve. Any further delay is bound to allow the clutches of prevailing evil turn completely towards the innocent children / youth and draw them into an ugly cauldron.The Nation needs to seriously address this mess. Listen to the general Awaam who have fallen victims to the fundamentalists, jamaites and the ISI. We need to allow the Awaam to pour their hearts out, through an institutionalized forum such as Interlocutors etc. Their voice should be heard in Delhi. This is where the key lies. Political processes and vote bank politics having failed miserably. Nor have Governors rule over umpteen times yielded any results. Let’s be committed and serious to bring back peace to the Jannat Kashmir.
(The writer is Defence Analyst / Strategist and an Ex Strike Corps GOC.
He can be reached at psmskinners@yahoo.com)
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