|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 1 May 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
The right column Weather and media Weather and media, what could they have in common? Prima facie, they are poles apart: One is a natural phenomenon while the other is a human enterprise. A little bit of reflection would convince you the reality is different. Who are humans? Produce of nature, ignoring of course theories of divine creation. Nature and humanity exist in unity. If this unity were endangered humans would cease to exist. Just think for example what would happen if humans were deprived of Oxygen. Coming down from the realm of thought, of abstract thinking to ordinary day-to-day practice we could see more similarities between the weather and the media. Both are much maligned entities. Sunshine or rain, frost or snow, calm or tempest there is no end to curses on the weather. Yet weather is man's friend, if only he knows how to handle it. Perhaps English writer John Ruskin was correct when he said "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." As for the media, it has become a convenient scapegoat for all - from purists, moralists to politicians and corporate bosses. The media has to bear all their sins and omissions. This is, however, no attempt to absolve the media of all faults. It is also not infallible. Of late we have witnessed the ill effects of human intervention in the realm of nature, be it weather, climate, biodiversity or ecology as a whole. Similar interventions are prevailing in the realm of media too. Their ill effects could also be adverse. Just as extraneous forces attempt to control nature similar attempts are made by 'outsiders' to control the media. This outside interference is, perhaps, not limited to the media. In our country such interference has become a norm whether it be in education, administration or elsewhere. Of all who claim divine right of interference two categories stand out - the politicians and the corporate sector. The first category thinks that an electoral victory or fortuitous placement in a representative body by nomination through whatever means is a carte blanche to interfere anywhere any time. They claim prime publicity through the media either at prime time in electronic media or front pages of print media irrespective of whether such publicity is deserved or is worth. Many a head has rolled in media institutions for simple 'crimes' like performing their professional role as 'gatekeepers' of news. The second category believes money could buy anything any time, even media space/time. Yes, like the weather the media is also a necessary 'evil' or 'divine grace' according to one's world outlook. - the Sceptic |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
