Head to Head

It not only influences other media in competing in crassness and crudity, but it has influenced Indians enough to become a nation of sheep — misinformed, angry and hateful. It influences judges as can be seen in the incarceration of Aarushi Talwar’s parents. Now it is being done to Shashi Tharoor. “Sub judice” is hardly considered something to respect. It can change by citizens voting with their TV remote. Switch off from the ranting and watch good journalism. Yes, it exists. Where does one draw the line between free speech and an ethical presentation of news? There are enough laws to control free speech. No law can control TV anchors from manipulating the news. Ethics come from building the character of the nation and a discerning public. That is not being done. It is a crucial subject. What kind of citizens are we creating? Social media has given a voice to millions who would never be heard but it has also brought down the levels of debate to mere abuse, giving a fake sense of power. We have become an angry nation of abusers. We have millions of intelligent young people who have no idea of how to be the best they can be. They are being misled. Rajya Sabha TV, Lok Sabha TV and Doordarshan have a crucial role to play in creating ethical and discerning viewers. Unfortunately, they prefer to be handmaidens of the party that happens to be in power.

Today, normal questions raised by journalists leave them branded as “antinational”. Journalists are not only crawling, they are willing instruments in hitting opposition parties