Media, weapon of mass distraction

The credibility of media houses has not been so low ever. There were times when the news was not authentic until it was published in major newspapers. Today, the authenticity is in doubt even if the news gets carried by major newspapers. Fake news, fake sedition cases and pressuring the media seem to have become the order of the day. Governments often threaten either with cases or stopping advertisements and stifle freedom of expression. Many major media houses thus prefer to toe the official line to risking any action from the government.

With this narrative, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Dr Shashi Tharoor regretted that the media appeared to be under pressure to show a polished version to the government’s viewpoint rather than showing them the mirror which it ought to do. This section of the media claims to be independent, but in reality, it is betraying itself.

Speaking on “The need for an Independent media as a vital link for Democracy” at Mumbai Press Club over the week-end, Dr Tharoor raised several pertinent points on the state of the media and democracy. Press is like a window that lets the light in and using draconian measures such as sedition law to suppress the freedom of expression is not good for society, he said. He is certainly worried about the future of democracy in India.

The present ruling dispensation appears to be using the media as a weapon of mass distraction, said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Society is in danger of suffocating itself if the press is not free, he pointed out and declared that free press is the best indicator of the health of democracy.

Tharoor said intimidation of the Press was a legitimate issue, and if he had a voice in the party manifesto, he would certainly suggest that this should be made an issue, and the party would stand for guaranteeing the freedom of the Press and non-interference.

Dr Tharoor appreciated some of the independent websites for their courage to stand up because they do not have any business interests which could be under the government’s pressure.

Recalling that upright people such as T N Seshan and James Michael Lyngdoh were appointed in key positions such as the Chief Election Commissioner, today’s government believes in loyalty tests rather than any other capability for appointing people in top positions.

I pointed out to Dr Tharoor the growing intolerance among the political class towards media criticism and the intolerant lot including his own party leaders. He agreed that the leaders must take constructive criticism in their stride and be able to just laugh it off.

We have been pointing out the diversionary tactics on part of the ruling party either by raking up and prompting irrelevant issues and blowing them out of proportion. Unfortunately, many media houses have been falling for this for it thus relegating the main issues of concern to the back burner.

Dr Tharoor pointed out that the Congress press conference on former J&K Governor Satyapal Mallick’s anti-Modi interview was not covered by the electronic media.

Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan went a step ahead and tweeted “As the BJP celebrates the on camera murder of Atiq Ahmad, in an attempt to divert attention from Satyapal Malik's devastating revelations; in Karnataka the exodus from BJP continues. Ex CM Jagdish Shettar Resigns as MLA, Quits BJP & Joins Congress.”

Come to think of it, the Satyapal Malik issue got drowned with major media friends ignoring it.

With the election heat building up, time has come now for the media to stand up and pose some uncomfortable questions to the political class. It is also time to make freedom of the press an election issue. Those who criticise Jawaharlal Nehru must remember that he loved Shankar’s weekly which used to carry his caricatures. Today, cartoonists and stand-up comedians are jailed, journalists are slapped with fake cases amid general intolerance to criticism. The Congress seems to have learnt a lesson after its terrible blunder of the Emergency and the media censorship and hence is espousing the cause of press freedom. In fact, it is very much vital for the opposition itself to take up the cudgels for the media in general in the interest of democracy. Strong, independent media is as important for democracy as a strong Opposition. Democracy will be dead if there are no checks and balances and, in the process, if a single party rule is allowed to be perpetuated.

As we keep discussing, a single party rule is not only bad for the society but it is not good for the ruling party itself. Sycophancy does not last long in any organisation - from political to corporates or for that matter in small clubs and homes. Dissent is a must and should not be suppressed.

I strongly advocate a code of conduct on the freedom of the Press for all political parties. Perhaps, the Editors Guild and various press clubs could take the lead. Now that Dr Tharoor launched the All Indian Professionals Congress, can we expect an element of professionalism in the grand old party? Let the Congress lead a new freedom movement – Freedom of the Press - in this Amrit Kal!

(The columnist is a Mumbai-based independent media veteran, running websites and a youtube channel known for his thought-provoking messaging)