How Mainstream Media Lost its Credibility

In a democratic system, public opinion is the built-in check and balance that ensures that the three pillars of democracy – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial do what they are supposed to do and not start misusing the system for serving their own ends. In India, like in almost every other nation where media is free to praise and criticize these three pillars of democracy, media has played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. It is for this reason that media has been called the fourth pillar of democracy.

The fourth pillar justified the faith put in it by the citizens when it took up issues that had made a mockery of our justice system as a result of botched up police investigations – the Nitish Katara murder case and the Jessica Lal murder case to name a few. Media’s activism despite criticism from legislative and executive quarters was brushed aside by the public which found a hope in it for fighting the corrupt, inefficient system. Liberalization and growth of the Cable TV led to a mushrooming of private news channels and news anchors and journalists presenting the news became known faces with almost celebrity like following. The age of 24X7 news was here and the masses could not tire of consuming the never ending analyses, talk shows and special reports emanating from news channels which were unbiased voices and not a propaganda tool of the government or some entrenched political party. Or so we thought.

There always were people who did not like the way the private channels sensationalized every story to make it an exclusive. But for every such critic, there were hundreds who hero-worshipped their award winning journalists who were always willing to travel to war zones and rugged terrains to get that exclusive story as it unfolded. It all seemed to be working out fine when something disruptive happened: the rise of social media.

As Facebook and more notably Twitter became popular in India, each and every word that was spoken by these journalists came under greater than ever scrutiny. People discussed them online on twitter and even questioned and criticized those who were previously considered unchallenged demi-gods of public opinion. The result of this has been shocking and a revelation. More and more people are realizing that their favorite journalists of old times are not unbiased, neutral voices but men and women with their own agendas who use their platform to shape the discussion or analysis in a way that suits a particular party or political ideology.

Hence, it makes for an interesting observation:

1. When we see shock on the face of an award winning journalist the moment Allahabad High Court grants a verdict in favor of the Hindus in the Ayodhya dispute case. As she repeatedly asks the Hindu community to be large-hearted and share the land with the Muslims, we wonder if her reaction had been the same if the verdict went in favor of the other party.
2. When journalists, who go ad-nauseam about freedom of expression of a painter who repeatedly painted Hindu Gods and Goddesses in the nude and about the freedom of speech of a writer-turned activist who never lets go an opportunity to speak against India, themselves initiate proceedings against bloggers who criticize them or their reporting
3. When a lady journalist calls twitter users supporting rights and privileges of the majority Hindu community as ‘Internet Hindus’
4. When journalists who worry about religious sentiments of the minorities when it comes to certain cartoons in a Danish newspaper have no hesitation in calling Lord Ram, worshipped by Hindus across the world, a divine encroacher
5. When journalists who dub leaders trying to work up the coalition numbers as ‘brokers’ or ‘fixers’ are themselves caught on tape fixing cabinet positions and the only excuse they have is that it was an error of judgment. And while resignations are sought from anybody and everybody not belonging to the grand old party, such journalists continue to hold their positions
6. When the picture of a 42 year old politician, who happens to belong to the most powerful political dynasty of India, is morphed with those of cricket players and fans after India wins a match against arch-rivals Pakistan in the World Cup and the caption says “Yes, We Did”, we wonder if it is independent journalism or sycophancy at its best.
7. When the pretty lady from the network famous for notices and threats to opposing voices keeps bringing in Samjhauta express blasts whenever Mumbai terror attacks and Islamic fundamentalism are discussed
8. When news channels demand resignation of a CM based on charges contained in a Lokayukta report but question the CAG for its report accusing a powerful CM belonging to another party and refrain from asking for resignation because everybody is innocent till proven guilty
9. When the journalists who didn’t think twice about reporting and speculating on Apple chief Steve Jobs’ medical condition are preaching decency and privacy when the High Command of the oldest political party of India has taken ill.

The reaction of these journalists to differing views and criticism goes totally against the rational image they had cultivated before social media arrived on the scene. Criticize their stand and you would be called a troll, a right-wing hatemonger or at the minimum a moron. Sometimes, if you are arguing with their supporters, these journalists tend to jump in and would then ask you to learn some decency or take your poison elsewhere. In fact, there has been an instant where a lady journalist was found cheering her supporters when they hurled some profanities at another lady who has been quite vocal in her criticism of the said journalist. So much for women empowerment and respect for women!

People all across the world have their biases. Journalists are no different. It is perhaps better to openly declare one’s political allegiance than play up the charade of being an independent news agency. News networks in USA openly back one political party over the other. It would be better if Indian news channels and media houses start doing that. It would save their journalists lot of criticism which they cop up for pretending that they present an unbiased, neutral and factual account of what’s happening in the country minute by minute. Thanks to twitter and other forms of social media, it is no longer easy to make fool of your audience. Mainstream media in India must wake up to this reality that they cannot fool all the people all the time, By continuing to try, the only thing they are going to achieve is to further dent their already punctured credibility.