Aaj (tak) ke Star (news) !

Jurm, Vardat, Sansani, FIR, and the list goes on...No, not the names of forthcoming bollywood masala films, These are some of the programs telecasted every day on plethora of news channels we have at our bay. The television screens in India are witnessing a sea of change after deluge of news channels have hit the screens in last few years. The remote fights for daily soaps and sports channels might seem to be obsolete today. The (so called) news channels are giving a tough competition. With TRP ratings and viewer ship statistics ruling the roost, the electronic media is in overdrive to prove their mettle.
This entire week has been festive time for news channels like aajtak and starnews. Reason is certainly not the start of 2nd Soccer World Cup of the century. But it is glam girl Rakhi Sawant being kissed. Well, yes this has been the biggest news story in this week. The fact that some one is being kissed openly is so important for these news channels that they have not hesitated to telecast 30 minutes of prime time story to explain the intricacies of kissing and the relationship of the two persons. The titles given to the news stories are most appropriate for thriller films. “Yeh item Ashlil hai”, “Kissa kiss ka”, are just some of the examples. The scenes are repeated again and again. The words being used to describe story are even more objectionable and pejorative. The reporters aggravate the situation. The connotation of the questions being asked is only to show for their lewd mindsets. The every day dose of Bollywood film programs, showcasing the latest affairs is presented as if carrying out a great social service. Aajtak –Sabse Tez and Star News – Apko Rakhe Aage now should be read as Aajtak – Sabse Obscene and Star News – Apko Rakhe Andha. Sting operations, exclusive reports, breaking news, Flash news, just in etc. are all a part of tawdry and sleazy vocabulary used in an attempt to beguile the notions of the people of the nation. A small issue is blown out of proportion. Attempt to sensationalize the facts is leading to vilification of truth.
The mass media has long been conferred with the title of being the fourth estate on which the basic foundation of a nation and its people rest. It is based on the notion that that the media's function is to act as a guardian of the public interest and as a watchdog on the activities of government.
The reasons for debasement and perversion of the electronic media may be numerous. The stratospheric pressure to be the first, to give the inside story (read as glamorization), maintain the viewership, please the government and most importantly please the viewers. After all balancing itself on this multi-edged chopper is proving to be a tough job for the news channels. Hence leaning on the wall of glamorization seems to be the most viable option.
But where is the Media Responsibility. Besides commercial aspirations, Media has a primary duty of protecting the basic rights of the people and providing the viewers with authentic information. These all has been lost. Lost in midst of glamour, page3, celebrities and cheap publicity.
The very foundation of the media has been shaken. The necessary restraint needs to be exercised or in the absence of any countervailing forces, the media conglomerates have used the last few decades to create a cesspool of messages about licentiousness, murder, violence, short-sighted selfishness, drug use, alcohol use, tobacco use, immorality, glorification of greed and force, and much more that is objectionable and we have been given no choice but to live within smelling distance of it. The power lies with us. It is high time to use this power and help perverted minds and souls rediscover and redeem their lost conscientiousness.