The Serious Gap between Indian Media, Politicians and Public.

India/Bharat/Hindustan being the most populous nation, proudly calls itself the largest democracy of the world. 

But do you guys know, what, in my opinion, hinders India from being one of the finest democracies in the world? 

It is the ever-reigning disorder and mayhem between the very fundamental pillars of democracy, the four pillars, namely Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Media.

Instead of each pillar complimenting others, I can give you many many such instances where one of these pillar has gone head-on against the other one; or has willfully surrendered itself in front of the other one. Each pillar here in India, wants to attain all the powers for itself, and constantly works to weaken the other pillars. 

Context Setting

Regarding the present Govt, there are majorly two types of thinking in the minds of the Indian people today. Firstly I will tell you where they both meet and agree.

 It is regarding the set of policies implemented, the sort of leadership and Cabinet ministry organised to make our country progress. In contrast with the previous governments, the present one is actually doing a commendable job, except few criticisms, ofcourse. All in all, the present government is up to the task and working finely.

The point which separates the thinking of most Indians today, and splits opinions is on the matters like healthy democracy, freedom of press, religious polarisation etc. 

We have seen many cases where the govt has behaved very authoritarian and undemocratic - in passing certain bills, in favouring few individuals or groups and spreading certain agendas.

The Opposition parties, as well as many Indians think that even in journalism, the government have exercised complete regulations.

News which show the shortcomings and failed-promises of the govt, or criticise some of its decisions or even dare ask questions - are very very rare to find in today's India.

Obviously, it is not that no such news exist. Take for example the promises of employment or the promises of tackling rising inflation. These problems still exist on many many levels but are not shown!

On the other hand, news channels have become places of hatred stimulation and brainwash. You can't help but lose your IQ watching national news. This is a clearcut open fact we can directly experience ourselves.

Immediate Motive to Write this Blog

'In an unprecedented move that has been criticised as anti-democratic and a threat to Press freedom, the Opposition alliance, INDIA, released Thursday a list of 14 TV anchors it said it will now boycott, accusing them of conducting “hate-filled” news debates.'

Defending the decision, Congress media department chairman Pawan Khera said, “Every day at 5 pm, a market of hatred is put up on some channels. It has been happening for the last nine years. The spokespersons of different parties go to those markets, some experts go, some analysts go… but we all go as customers of that market of hatred."

“We do not want to legitimise this hate-filled narrative which is corroding our society… if you spread hatred in the society which takes even the shape of violence… we will not be a part of it,” Khera said.

(Source:- The Indian Express)

Since this direct call-out of I.N.D.I.A alliance on few such anchors have broke out, there has been a total turmoil of thoughts and opinions.

In today's blog I will amplify for you each arguement raised from every side of the debate.

The reply of the BJP ofcourse, was by completely weponising this move against the Opposition.

They pointed out how undemocratic it is, to boycott journalists, and that how Congress has a history (Indira Gandhi Emergency Era) of oppressing voices.

Infact, here's BJP's President JP Nadda's remarks on it.

The Emergency era mindset is alive among these parties,” Mr. Nadda said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I.N.D.I Alliance should stop their antics immediately. They should instead focus on constructive work and serving people. Else, the path to obscurity will get even clearer,” he added. The INDIA bloc has been busy doing just two things, “bashing Sanatan Sanskriti [and] bullying the media”, he said.

To this, I think Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah's reply in Twitter (X) will be enough to represent the Opposition's reply.

Mr JP Nadda,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has boycotted every Indian journalist by not addressing even a single press conference in the last 10 years.

How is it wrong to boycott 14 journalists who have compromised media ethics by acting as mouthpiece of one political party

We will give you the data on the actual attack on the media. You may have forgotten this, but INDIA still remembers it.

Journalists who were arrested for reporting the truth:

-Siddique Kappan

-Mohammed Zubair

-Ajit Ojha

-Jaspal Singh

-Sajad Gul

-Kishorechandra Wangkhen

-Prashant Kanojia

Journalists who were killed for speaking the truth:

-Rakesh Singh

-Shubham Mani Tripathi

-G Moses

-Parag Bhuyan

-Gauri Lankesh

Press Freedom Index: Falling India's Rank

2015: 136th position

2019: 140th position

2022: 150th position

2023: 161st position

What does @BJP4India have to say about this?

My Biggest Concern

In this blog I have tried my best to avoid commenting in favour or against any particular party. Rather, it was written with a motive to awaken our readers regarding the present state of journalism in this country. 

Politicians will undoubtedly throw mud at each other in this type of scenarios. But at the end, it is the public which is at loss. Doesn't those 14 anchors, who are very well known as a part of Godi Media, have any justification for them?

Again, I am not commenting on whether the Opposition boycotting it was a solution or not, I am happy because more people in India are today discussing how useless and irrelevant  the job of a journalist has become. 

Journalists are the voice of the voiceless - the public. Journalists are also a medium of political parties to whitewash themselves and sell their own propagandas if they want.

What we don't realise is that on the other side of the battle, the politicians have immense power and money to control the media. They can show us whatever they want to. 

What do we public have to make sure the media is totally neutral and critical about the government? 

This is how media is a direct health-checkup of a democracy. India is at 150+ position in freedom of press. 

So today, I want all of us to think more and talk more about the role of journalists in our country and how can it be strengthened. 

For further reading my views on the Media, read this blog:-

"Degradation of Journalism and Rottening of Media :- Early Signs of Dictatorship and Monopoly"

Thanks,

Daksh Parekh.