We, The Media

There can't be a good house without pillars. So is the case with democracies which can be treated as home where the population thrives and develops. Out of the main pillars, media is considered fourth. But think logically again, shouldn't media be called most important as it interacts with public the most, the people who are the base to any governance systems. 

When the emergency was announced in 1975, media censorship was imposed and everything had to go for scrutiny before it could be published. Had media given up then completey there wouldn't have been any shift of power to Janta party government. But we will all agree that most media lost their spine and those who showed courage continued to suffer even later. 

Many of you might be wondering as to why I am writing this all, but the world is strange. Strange to the level that censorship can come without offical notice and non-compliance can cost you not just yourself but family also. I don't know if Gauri Lankesh was part of tukde tukde gang, but for sure she was a journalist and had the willpower to confront trolls. She died and remains with a good touch in many of our hearts. No, I am not blaming anyone as I may be so naive to do that or because politics is all about control and public perception. But what if that changes to a war of ideas, ideas nobody knows what it implies. The morality today is dead and it's floating with a stink on the river water of hyper-nationalism. 

The world hasn't become divided only today. Journalists too have their opinion and it's evident in earlier times also. But the real question is-

Should a media group be owned by a party confidante?

Should media shy away from real issues just because the political establishment doesn't support this? 

Should media become hate machines and trolling agencies? 

And as Ravish Kumar says- Should media be appreciated just for the very basic work they are supposed to do each day? 

Even as I rarely say no, these questions make me think. If it does same to you, it's time to break this uncalled censorship and demand not just for better governments but media because narrative matters. This spokesperson nature of media must be ruled out as reporters are just expected to clip facts in a way that reveals the truth itself. 

The need of the hour is for us to become media and to act as watchdog for the 'ever evolving' democracy which would also act as coaching class for scores of journalists.