An Open Letter to the Indian Media

Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. The other three pillars legislature, executive, and judiciary. Each of us has a few expectations from the media regarding what narrative it sets or what agenda it tries to set through newspapers, TV channels, or digital platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.

Now, it is completely agreed that many people feel dejected when they don’t take up their issues. But calling media houses by names like godi media, right-wing media, Lutyens media, or left-wing media, you are not doing anything great either.

They are just doing their job. Maybe some are doing it partially and in a biased manner, while a few others (maybe just a countable few) are doing it impartially and in a bipartisan manner, but still they are all just doing their job.

The Media Cannot Change the System Overnight

Don’t keep hyper expectations from reporters and journalists. They can only reinforce what’s happening, they can create awareness about something, but if you expect reporters and journalists to bring any overnight changes in the system or to restore what’s right and justified, then you are mistaken.

Even before expecting the media to act as an activist or one who stands beside what’s right, ask yourself, can the media truly survive without money?

Media is basically a business house. Journalists and reporters do have to follow what their editors are asking them to do. They can’t take a stand out of the blue. Because they have families to take care of. They have EMIs to pay and bills to clear.

If you feel mainstream media is not showing what suits your narrative or is not doing its job, who stops you from becoming your own voice or the voice of those you support? Start a YouTube channel, a blog, whatever. You have the platform where you can freely voice your opinion.

But don’t try to impose your thoughts or expect them to tell you what you want to hear.

The Reality Inside a Media House

If you see, conventionally the role of the media, especially in India, has usually been pro-opposition, or you can say anti-establishment. But over the last two decades, that principle has undergone sea changes.

Now, every TV news channel or newspaper is almost split into many cohorts: one that supports the ruling dispensation, another group consists of those who support the opposition, and last but not least, you will also find some digital channels (unfortunately, most of them are on YouTube and Instagram only) that are unbiased and never refrain from calling a spade a spade, irrespective of which party is in the wrong. You can call them unbiased.

So, asking tough questions is the task of the media. But many times, they simply have to do what the media house owners are asking them to do. They have to toe the line of their bosses or else their jobs will be at stake.

Don’t Judge Reporters and Journalists

It is quite easy to judge which newspaper or news channel is biased and which is not from your house. But once you join a tv news channel or newspaper, you will realise the real game.

Nobody bothers about what’s right and what’s wrong unless something happens and is presented exactly as it is.

But when it comes to political issues, the Indian media is visibly split and dissected into multiple lobbies. And blaming TV reporters or harassing them or heckling them is not just a big wrong but also a sort of resorting to unprovoked violence, and you are doing a great disservice to the nation.

Just like how you can’t ask your boss to leave the office even after working 9 to 10 hours if they suddenly come up with an urgent meeting that could last one more hour or an urgent assignment, similarly most reporters and journalists can’t just say what they want to speak even though they get the platform.

Conclusion

It all seems good, but when you know your next month’s salary is at stake, no matter how conscientious and intellectual or righteous you are, you are bound to do what 99% of others are doing, following your bosses and media owners or founders.

So, stop blaming TV journalists, newspaper reporters, and YouTubers. Some are setting the agenda, some are setting the narratives, some are just doing their jobs, and some are simply pouring their heart out while speaking or writing on poignant issues that demand urgent attention for the nation.