There's a unique way of starting conversations among Gujarati people. Shu Khabar? Everywhere else, it's almost the same... What's Up?
With news media though, it's somehow become exactly the same.
One day, Pakistani players are in the news because of an IPL auction. Next day, SRK comes out in support of them. The third day, Shiv Sena comes out against them. And by the fourth day, IPL and cricket are history, and SRK and Shiv Sena are fighting over the film to be released.
Does the film have anything to do with Pakistan? No.
Does the film have anything to do with cricket? No.
Does the film release have anything to do with Pakistani players? No.
Still, the fight is on.
Interestingly, the RTI Act has been at the opposite end. Very less hype around it, and far-reaching effect. Every now and then, a scam comes into light. Just like it was earlier. The difference now is that it's not investigating agencies who are the torch-bearers, it's common men and women who seek more information using RTI. While both talk of huge monies, RTI for some reason never gets the same importance as case mentioned earlier.
Another similar case is that of suicides.
As the National Crime Records Bureau (NRCB) reports here, every hour of 2008, roughly 14 people committed suicide. Still, when a suicide is portrayed disturbingly in '3 Idiots', suddenly suicides among students come into limelight. And as is the way with media, all blame of every student suicide after the movie release is attributed to the movie and nothing else.
I wonder why long term impact or re-percussions are given so less importance? A policy change is immediately criticised if there is any negative consequence today. Tomorrow's benefits? Who cares?
Probably the difference between 'what's new' and 'what's news' is only in language.
1 comment:
So much agree with you.
But at the end, News/media is a business. They need to sell what sells in the market.
that's why India TV with its ridiculous programming is still running strong.
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