Hyper-Media

The role of media, especially television is so commendable these days. The news channels in particular provide us with the latest update of events occurring in the most isolated part of our country. We come to know about the celebrations that create a jocular mood among the public or the deadly terror attacks that leave people maiming and their relatives in a sullen mood. We get to know about the stock rates at the share markets and views of educationists on various critical issues. All these services from our visual media make one doss their hats in respect. But, there is yet another issue that sometimes, can tarnish the image of these media enabled services. That's none other than going 'hyper' over the issues.

To get clearly what the term 'hyper' really means when we throw accusation at the media, the recent coverage of Mumbai terror attacks can be taken as the impeccable exempli-gratia. We, the citizens of India were deeply drowned in sorrow on viewing those harrowing attacks on our fellow countrymen and we really appreciated the media lens men for getting the glimpse of the happenings, in real time. But, this note of praise soon ended when the news channels started dealing with news as 'commodity' as a well known national daily rightly quoted. The channels started flashing sophomore news on the screens terming it as 'breaking news', even as the officials were waiting for confirmation from the personnel inside the action points.

Each channel wanted to prove its supremacy over the other and in the race failed to bring in the feeling of national sensation into the minds of citizens rather made them irritated with half-baked news that were later stated as false by the same media that reported it. The news correspondents at one point even questioned the rescued hostages who obviously had had a gruelling experience. This showed the media's hunt for news that made them go mad at the hostages. I duly respect the news correspondents who spent hours covering the events of terror attacks, even risking their lives. At one point, the media started reporting the commando plans even! This portrayed their cursory act towards news coverage and how unmindful they were of the consequences of revealing the very sensitive army plans. The message is simple. India is a democratic country where everyone has fundamental rights to his/her own credit. The media has the full freedom to write or telecast anything they wished. It would be more sensible if this freedom is used for what it is intended for, of course with minimal recklessness and maximum enlightenment!