We hear a lot about significant foreign stake in Indian Media. I do not know if all that is stated is 100% true or correct, but, in my opinion, a large section of the Indian Media has not acquitted itself well either ethically or professionally.
Who owns the media in India?
Money (of all hues, shades and colours), and Individuals (of all Characters, Leanings and Interests) own it. If Degradation in Moral Values is a Past Perfect in case of Delinquent Indian Politicians, it is the Present Continuous in case of the Over Eloquent Indian Media. It stands at the Cross Roads, and any may choose any of the directions: Committed Journalism (Fanatically Biased News), Mercenary Journalism (Paid or Advertised News), Surrogate Journalism (Individual and Party Politicians Owned / Promoted), or Cynical Journalism (Yellow and Nihilistic Propaganda). We see more Views than News. We see more Complaining than Reporting. We see more Taking Sides than the Interests of Readers. We see more Commercialism than Journalism.
At least, in case of News Papers, we have a consolation: Today's News Paper will be Tomorrow's Waste Paper (disposable for a farthing), but what about the time we invest on Electronic Media! They have Long Stories and even Longer Cacophony of Discussions, but an Infinitesimally Short Memory, and Virtually no Follow Up!
That is the sorry state of the Indian Media today, barring a Pathetic Minority, which still struggle with Classical Reporting, rather Pathologically!!
V S Rama Rao
