Be it Ajmal Kasab or Osama Bin Laden, Media today seems to glorify the actions of these terrorists. Sounds weird? Well, divulge deeper.
We live in a world where Media forms our opinion about almost everything. Even normalcy for that matter is constructed by media (There, I see my course influence). If such is the impact and influence of media, then the information shown and the way it is shown needs to be carefully studied and understood before it being broadcast. I don't deny that it already happens, that's what senior editors are appointed for... but somehow in this highly competitive field where TRP's govern the interests and shareholders influence even the basic facts and figures, Media persons forget the kind of impact a particular news may have on the naive audience.
Let's relate this to the line I wrote above about glorification of actions of the terrorists.
What is it that the terrorists aim at achieving? Publicity? Isn't that what they are looking for? They want to propagate their ideas and beliefs and value systems on others. They want to create a fear in the minds of people. And Media helps them in achieving just the exact thing!
There is a saying 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' which if applied here will defeat the purpose of these terrorist organisations, however that isn't what happens.
Osama Bin Laden, a name that everybody living in the 21st century would relate to. His ideas, his views about Jihaad and Islaam received ample coverage. The reason why he became such a big figure was not his terrorist activities but the kind of exposure he received.
Abottabad was an unknown city until the US forces landed their to kill Bin Laden. Today, we all know where Abottabad is and what happened there, and well even the how factor (Discovery made an entire series of Documentaries on the Killing of Bin Laden).
I would have settled my thoughts even if after his death media would have stopped mentioning him. But No, they would want to earn even from the death of a terrorist!
I recently picked up a book 'Growing Up Bin Laden: Osama's Wife and Son Take Us inside
Their Secret World', a book that further propagates Osama's ideas. Obviously, the book doesn't portray him and his thoughts in any good light, but the fact that we are being exposed to such violent and pervasive viewpoints at such an alarming rate that it has started to settle in our sub conscious minds. And this is dangerous, extremely dangerous!
A recent judgement by the Supreme Court of Pakistan advised the media to not glorify terrorism by publishing statements of the leaders of terrorists organisations. (Sometimes, I wonder, if the news channels and reporters can interview these terrorists, then why can't our government arrest them?)
However one may be tempted to argue here that the function of media is to inform the people and to present and unbiased report/account of what is happening in the world around us. But then, does sensationalizing the acts of these terrorists fall under the unbiased report pointer?
The 26/11 Mumbai attack was an episode of shame for the Media. Live coverage disclosing highly confidential information about the forces and their positions helped the terrorists strategize and cause more harm to our nation. More soldiers lost their lives, more civilians were killed and more coverage and publicity was given to the terrorists. Ajmal Kasab became a household name, directors' visited ground zero, scripts were being designed, emotional stories of the survivors were being captured, heart wrenching images were being shot, all to win the race of TRP's! And in the course of all this, Ajmal Kasab was soon portrayed as a victim of poverty which forced him into the field of terrorism. If this is unbiased reporting, i would reconsider the definition of bias.
Being an aspiring Media professional, i feel it is the responsibility of the media industry to understand the impact certain kinds of news can have on the audience and the society as a whole. We are considered to be the fourth estate however, we are evolving to be the most powerful of these four estates, and its time we probe deeper and understand not just the present impact but also the future implications of our actions. Its a common notion among the audience that such news and views do not affect us, but in reality media affects everybody, you, me and the media persons themselves.
Media content is derived from our societal norms, however it is the same Media which influences these societal norms. Both its consumers and its producers are expected to be responsible.
Let us as responsible consumers demand responsible media and not glorify them who are to be forgotten!
