November 19, 2010

On Mainstream Media (MSM) Credibility, Big Shot Journos, #barkhagate and #vircrasher

The evolving 2G Scam and #barkhagate (for those following on Twitter) raises serious questions on the credibilty of our Mainstream Media (MSM) and our revered journos. 

Even if there is no illegality involved, at the very least it underlines two things: 

1) There is an unacceptable nexus between media , corporate lobbyists and Politicos 
2) The credbility and independence of opinion that one expects from famous journos doesn't exist 

To me, point # 2 is even more important, as journos like Barkha Dutt are revered in our country. Not by everyone mind, as someone who has been pissed off no small number of times at the inane fashion in which BD conducts her " We, the people" debate - shouting down, attacking views by experts that don't match her views and giving inordinately high air time to that spectrum of views which she clearly comes with an agenda to promote. The absolutely cursory level of preparation with which she comes armed for such programs , etc 

#barkhagate if nothing should harm her credibility, and thats good , in an India where she is one of many false gods. 

#vircrasher too, knowing twitter, will soon catch steam , but Vir Sanghvi largely got off lightly here i feel on account of the fact the Barkha Dutt is so blatantly the face of irresponsible journalism in India, that mauling her on twitter was a long awaited event :D

Our revered journos used to be hard hitting, independent opinion giving , genuinely making a difference breed when they started out. 

Today, all they do is respout lobbyists' and government spiel, create a ruckus where unnecessary, "break" stories that they really shoudn't report without considerable restraint (26/11 being point in case) and like to plug their showcased programs at all possible opportunities in pursuit of more visibility and mucho big bucks (LOL at Rajdeeps Sardesai's mauling on twitter by @jhunjhunwala ) 

The worst part is media's (except Twitter) silence on this story, insider solidarity ??

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:43 PM

    Why point fingers at just the media? Every noble profession in this world is going the same way.

    Take medicine. Where are the noble doctors these days?

    Barkha and Vir are on tape doing the same thing that every journalist does. This may come as a rude shock to folks who don't inhabit the media world. But this is the truth.

    No TV channel or paper is covering the news because who will cover it? Which journalist will cast the first stone? They all know that they do the same thing. It isn't remarkable in the least.

    It is Barkha Dutt's unpopularity that people have seized upon. That is all there is to this controversy I think.

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  2. Hi Anonymous,

    Ah I see the old " everything smells shitty so why bother to point out that whats closest to your nose is smelly..in fact don't even remove it, or move..just inhale and thank god for the fact the world only smells shitty !" argument

    It may work for you..and Docs may be where you smell it closest , but you choose to be ok with the Docs who ballyrag you, I don't choose to be ok with the media I'm forced to follow.

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  3. Arka, again a nice piece of effort from your side but the problem is ITS reach man….
    When they shoot, they do it with AN objective influencing millions of people, who buy their story without much fuss, deciding what is going to be aired and what has to be ignored and due to their position have started working as pimps for the major parties. The whole media is now governed and owned by Christian missionaries with objectives of harassing the OPPOSITION, Character assassination of Hindus and Muslims, suppression of good non congress leadership, positive news coming out of non-congress ruled states etc.
    They never tried to put congress on wrong foot when
    • Pratibha Patil was elected as H.H. president of India (the most corrupt and criminal of all)
    • Navin Chawla was appointed CEC
    • Thomas was appointed as CVC
    • RAJ THAKRE goes scot free
    • Nuclear Liability bill was discussed with a view that populace starts believing that PM has not sold us short
    • No discussion on NPCIL planning to import expensive and unsafe nuclear reactors from French company called AREVA (US and European nuclear regulators have identified *severe flaws in the reactor and they have not approved the design.
    • SHARAD Pawar went scot free in IPL issue
    • The inflation which pulled down the BJP government, is a non issue NOW
    • 2G SCAM was intensly covered with objective of showing the opposition playing wrong card to weaken the MMS govt
    But the good governance of NITIS is always in their fire-line as he is partnering with BJP.
    • Mark Tully described her acts as non-journalism on her own show,
    • She tried to raise the heat against Muslims, when Jewish Synagogue was under siege during 26/11
    • She was blamed to be congress spokesperson on payroll of NDTV
    • When she used Teesta’s false charges to up-root the BJP government in Gujarat and kept mum when the affidavits submitted were found false
    I think its high time that the pressure is mounted on these dirties to stop them from influencing millions of non-suspecting and god fearing masses of India.
    I don’t know the power and outcome of campaign against Barkha and Veer Sanghvi on twitter, but if it can achieve one % of intended, I will be happy as all the media people are pimps for one or another party, and they are not going to come out and write or show, anything about Barkha jeopardizing their own position.
    AS LONG AS THE MEDIA IS CONTROLLED BY THESE CHRISTIAN FUNDS, WE WILL BE SELECTIVELY SERVED THE NEWS, THE VIEWS AND THE REPORTS "IS FOR SURE".

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  4. Vineet Ji,

    As always while reserve my comments on the Christian funds :D i think youve raised ONLY valid points there..the MSM is clearly congress biased..and BD & VS mauling on twitter is not just justified it was way long overdue!!

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  5. I think one of the reasons is that corruption has so completely entrenched itself in our system that there is an extensive 'nexus' between the government, bureaucracy, law enforcement agencies,lobbyists, judiciary, and the media(not to forget the 'goondas)'. I'm not implying that Barkha/Vir are guilty, but the fact remains that not all journalists are 'objective' and everything isn't right in the media scene. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

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