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“Media in India has not been responsible enough towards the society.” Give arguments For and Against the view.
Last about two decades have witnessed very high exposure of the Indian masses to the media, both print and electronic. Today, every household has access to newspapers, magazines, television etc. With its reach and effectiveness, the media has been eying the highest viewership in various categories by using imagination and professional acumen. But this has also encouraged the media to remain in the race for increased viewership. Many people in the country feel that in its efforts to capture more and more advertisements the media at times loses focus and indulges in irresponsible behaviour and conduct by being a bit reckless at times.
Arguments For the View
(a) During the last few years, the media in the country has been after the increase in the viewership which has resulted in irresponsible reporting many a times.
(b) With a view to get increased viewership, the media does not hesitate to transmit or telecast interviews of dacoits, terrorists and criminals. This practice is part of irresponsible behaviour of the media and must come to an end.
(c) One of the bane of Indian media is that the western culture is being glorified at the cost of traditional Indian culture.
(d) There are many instances when the irresponsible reporting by the media has created several problems in the Indian society. Violating all norms, religious communities are named while reporting on the riots and many a times news is reported without confirmation. This must be stopped immediately.
Arguments Against the View
(a) By and large the media has been highly responsible and mature. There are stray incidents of irresponsible reporting but such a thing can happen in any stream of life.
(b) There are several incidents when the Indian media has shown absolute maturity and restraint. The reporting by various television channels during the Kargil war and even during the recent Mumbai terrorist attacks has been highly responsible.
(c) Print media has a very long history in India and most of the leading newspapers have been established since more than a century. It would be wrong to expect the print media to report irresponsibly. The electronic media has also been catering to the need of the society to explore the truth in the best possible manner.
(d) All the media persons are also part of the Indian society and it would be wrong to presume that the media persons are trying to mislead the society, including themselves. With responsible people of the society being part of the media, it is hard to believe that they act in an irresponsible manner.
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