Media Responsibility Amid Crisis

It must be acknowledged that the more the expansion of media has taken place the more deviation from the accountability has taken place. It is a matter of concern for all. Earlier it used to be the domain of the radio, television and print media to sensitise the masses about the news and events; besides this the role was also to develop the public opinion on specific issues with the quality editorial content. It did not stop here. The credible print and electronic media were also the source of learning the languages; be it English or the vernacular. But things are changing and changing for the worse. As the editorial control and expertise is lacking. This is leading to narrative paralysis and the dilution of quality in terms of reporting and the editorials. This degeneration is surfacing vividly these days. As the media has taken new forms in terms of social media expansion. Digital media is making forays but the quality of news and analysis is declining. The reason being the focus on quantity by compromising on the quality. The non- availability of the professional editors is the main cause of concern. This problem is unfolding with each passing day and exposing the media fault lines.The serious concern that is being faced is the issue of fake news.Though the news and analysis in the newspapers in the print form is controllable but the same has gone out of control in the digital platforms that have taken the public opinion for granted. The reason being that the readers that have come up over the years are bred and fed on social media. Unverified news takes its toll. Damage control after the fake news has its costs. It not only destroys the credibility of the portals but does its damage by encouraging the rumours. This can be amply seen in the present context when the temperatures are quite high across the nation due to the gruesome Pahalgam carnage. Within no time news circulated is termed as fake news. This sense of desperation is being injected among the masses to create a critical mass that can trigger the panic button. At this crucial juncture when the nation is passing through a sensitive phase there is a need for self-control in the media houses. And at the same time the government needs to tighten the noose around the so called media outlets that claim to be the part of the journalist fraternity but in reality are the parasites that act as destroyers of the credible media and cause more harm than good. Time has come to inject a sense of maturity and responsibility in the media and restore the credibility and professionalism in journalism. Professional editors and well-read editorial consultants can’t be replaced by the half-baked content writers who thrive on plagiarism. There is an urgent need to restore the dignity of the newspapers. Newspapers are opinion makers that sensitise the masses about the issues that have a bearing on the nation and society. At the same time newspapers with a credible editorial policy are the policy consultants for the policy makers. Once this is realised, it will put the things in place and lead to restoration of the newspaper culture that is paramount for a sensitive and responsible society. Both media houses and the policy makers will have to realise this at the earliest.