Monday 12 October 2015

The falling fourth pillar of Indian Democracy


The falling fourth pillar of Indian Democracy

While browsing through the social media sites, I came across a trend #iStandWithRavishKumar  which made me curious to know as to what happened that people had to rise up for Mr. Ravish Kumar, a media personality currently associated with one of the leading media company of our country. What took me by surprise is that Mr. Ravish Kumar had informed his followers that he will be away from the social media sites for a while & the innocent followers were of the view that he is taking a sabbatical because of the trolls who might be abusing him or questioning him on his posts and views. However, the reason as per my understanding is different and more alarming.

Before going into the depth of the reason I would like to mention that there is a huge responsibility upon the media personalities as they are the torch bearers of the fourth pillar of Indian Democracy and the harbingers of the freedom of speech and expression. A time comes when such media personalities become so popular that people look forward to imitate, follow and believe in what they say and present. Hence, it is of utmost importance for such people to be crystal clear in their day to day life and practice what they preach. 

“Freedom of Speech & Expression” is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a)[i] bestowed upon every citizen of our country by the Constitution of India and in present scenario, electronic media is the most important harbour of this fundamental right. Freedom of press has always been a priced possession of democracy across the world. Talking about the freedom of press, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once stated that "I would rather have a completely free press with all the dangers involved in the wrong use of that freedom than a suppressed or regulated press"[ii]. Even the Hon’ble Supreme Court through its judgments from time to time has reinstated the freedom of press and affirmed its view that there could not be any kind of restriction on the freedom of speech and expression other than those mentioned in Article 19(2)[iii].

All of you will agree that with every right comes a responsibility. Rights and responsibilities are inseparable. If there is freedom without responsibility then that’s anarchy and anarchy is intolerable to democracy.

Talking about democracy, it has always been heard from political scientists, social activists, leaders and political experts that there are four pillars of democracy viz. Judiciary, Executive, Legislative and the Media. While the first three pillars functioning on their assigned objectives can be biased on one occasion or the other, the media is expected to be neutral and without any influence of the other three pillars. It’s the media which is the mouth, ear and eye of democracy which keeps a vigilance on the first three pillars and also becomes the voice of the people when required. In other words, media acts as a watchdog for democracy. I think that’s how people perceive and expect the media to be. Isn’t it?

Though ‘Media’ is either associated with the communication media or the specialized communication businesses such as print media and the press, photography, advertising, cinema, broadcasting (radio & television) and/or publishing but the point of focus by the word ‘Media’ has always been related to the ‘News Channels’ in common parlance. The reason being that it’s the most important medium of communication and tool for dissemination of information. With the advent of electronic media, information is transferred across the globe within seconds. Hence, the responsibility of media & associated personalities increases manifold.

The media not only provides facts but also gives interpretations to facts, statements and opinions. It is the media which proliferates ideas and ideologies. Media plays a vital role in shaping the opinion of the society and is capable of changing the whole viewpoint through which people perceive various issues. A recent example of changing the viewpoint can be taken from the movie “Talvar” directed by Meghana Gulzar. We all had followed the infamous “Arushi murder case” and prior to the movie, people were of the view that the Talwar couple had murdered their child but the movie portrays otherwise. The consequence is that the people who have watched the movie now believe that the parents of Arushi Talwar are innocent and are wrongly put behind bars. Consequently, an online petition has been making the rounds on social media for a signature campaign to fast-track the Arushi-Hemraj double murder case. This is the power of the media. Literally speaking, media governs the direction of our society today. Opinions can change overnight and iconic figures can be ridiculed and infamous with just a single wave of the media. Off late, media trial has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons such as the Delhi’s Jasleen Kaur-Sarvjeet Singh case and the Rohtak Sisters case.

In the words of Malcolm X, an American Muslim leader & a renowned human rights activist –

“The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”

I would like to take his quote a step ahead and say that in recent times media personalities & specially the electronic media personalities have become the most powerful persons because they are the ones who can affect the thinking process of individuals and mould them as per their wishes because they have the power to present the facts or hide the same, whichever is most suitable to them. They can portray and present an ordinary incidence in such a manner that can force people to think in an adverse manner & hence, riots can be instigated. On the other hand, if they want they can manage to hide or keep under covers the most heinous crimes and incidences to which the people will never come to know publicly as the same will never be broadcasted or printed.

Having discussed about the power of media and its personalities at length, I would now come straight to the point which propelled me to write this article.

We have been watching Mr. Ravish Kumar for long and I have no hesitation in saying that he has a soft corner for the Congress party and its spokespersons on his primetime shows. I do not have any issues with his penchant for Congress party but the problem arises when he uses the electronic media to propagate or impose his views on the viewers and simultaneously emulates himself to be a saint who is unbiased & neutral towards political parties who is presenting the truth to the viewers of his show.

The reason behind the so called sabbatical of Mr. Ravish Kumar from the social media sites is that his own brother Mr. Brajesh Kumar Pandey is contesting the Bihar Elections from Govindganj Constituency of East Champaran on the Congress Party ticket and in the garb of journalism he is campaigning for Mahagathbandhan of Mr. Lalu Prasad and Mr. Nitish kumar, which is in alliance with INC.

Surprised! Aren’t you?

Yes! You have read it correctly. Mr. Brajesh Kumar Pandey is the real brother of Mr. Ravish Kumar who does not use Pandey but “Kumar” as his last name. Now, the question arising in your mind is – “What’s the big deal? Everybody has a right to contest elections? Why can’t his brother?” I totally agree with you but the issue arises when you come to know that his brother is unknown in field of politics or even in the field of social work in the constituency. Mr. Jai Prakash Pandey has been the veteran Congress Party candidate for that constituency and has devoted his whole life holding the flag of the Congress party through thick and thin. However, he was deprived of the party ticket and the Congress Party gave the ticket to a person who is known in the local area only as the “brother” of Mr. Ravish Kumar, that too these days.

What was the reason for the Congress party to giveg Mr. Brajesh Kumar Pandey the ticket by surpassing the candidature of a veteran congress leader of the constituency? Will Mr. Ravish Kumar answer? No, because he doesn’t have any answer to this question. The truth is bitter for him to swallow and so he thought it better to leave the social media for a short time, until the Bihar Assembly Elections are over. A very smart move by a man in disguise and then you have his innocent followers taking a stand and abusing the so called manipulated trolls which is just an hallucination created by his silence over the comments of his followers.

After revelation of the facts, one can easily correlate how Mr. Ravish Kumar has been preparing himself since years by favouring the Congress Party to obtain the party ticket for his brother. I know, many of you will be thinking that why didn’t he plunge in himself on the party ticket? Let us guess. May be he learnt this lesson from his media colleague, Mr. Ashutosh who is now jobless after losing the Lok Sabha elections or maybe he is eying for a Rajya Sabha seat in the near future with his complete dedication to the Congress Party or may be his interests will be served if his brother wins the Assembly election from Govindganj. However, these are just guesses. Mr. Ravish Kumar will be the best person to answer these questions and through my article I ask him to reply and answer these questions directly to his followers. If he is so innocent that his followers are trending #iStandWithRavishKumar on social media sites then it is his duty to answer these questions at the earliest and before the Govindganj constituency elections which are scheduled to be held on 1st November, 2015.

This reminds me of another infamous “Krantikari…bahut krantikari” incidence of Mr. Punya Prasoon Bajpayee wherein he was caught red handed discussing how the interview would be used to benefit Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, at fag end of the interview on AAJTAK news channel before the Delhi elections.

What is alarming is the fact that such media personalities are misusing the power of media for their personal gains and thereby damaging the fourth pillar of democracy. Due to such incidences being revealed on regular intervals, it is getting difficult day by day to believe the news being broadcast on the news channels. There is always a doubt that there is another side of the story being presented which might get revealed after such a long time that the truth becomes toothless and the irreversible gains already made by the media personalities.

Since, News channels and associated media personalities have immense influence on the masses, there should be transparency in their conduct. It’s time that either these media personalities representing various news channels take the responsibility of protecting the fourth pillar of democracy or leave this pious profession and give way to the people who are willing to take this responsibility on their shoulders. Also, now it’s imperative that there should be a code of professional ethics to keep a check on the News channels and associated media personalities/houses so that they are accountable to the people.

...


[i] Article 19 (1)(a) of the Indian Constitution states that ‘all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.
 
[ii] (See D.R. Mankekar: The Press under Pressure (1973) p. 25)
 
[iii] Article 19(2) - Nothing in sub clause (a) of clause ( 1 ) of Article 19 shall affect the operation of any existing law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub clause in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.

8 comments:

  1. Rajnish a very good article indeed. Each one of us have some ideology (loosely) and when we right it does depict our views. I think the best way to respond to anyone is the way you have done by bringing out your point of view and highlighting the misuse by power one gets through electronic media.

    I have not followed Ravish Kumar in the sense that I never followed his reporting in the news channel. I have however looked at some of his post on facebook. I don't know much about him and won't comment on the facts you have put forth.

    However having read and shared some of his post I have seen the kind of language people use. I doubt he would have left but for the troll but had he been forced to leave due to critical writing by other people with substance (like you have done) I doubt that # hashtag would have been there.

    There are vested interest in every news channel and anchor's are only the face of that vested interest. it is a corporate set up that functions like any other and the only way to fight back is through making sure the information reaches people.

    Media as a fourth pillar in India has had it's own share of fall and rise. Good thing is that now we have people in different walk of life coming forward and sharing their knowledge and information that is available to all and sundry.

    A great beginning and all tbe best my friend but be ready for both counterview and troll as and when your thought don't resembles with majority :-)

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  2. Rajnish a very good article indeed. Each one of us have some ideology (loosely) and when we right it does depict our views. I think the best way to respond to anyone is the way you have done by bringing out your point of view and highlighting the misuse by power one gets through electronic media.

    I have not followed Ravish Kumar in the sense that I never followed his reporting in the news channel. I have however looked at some of his post on facebook. I don't know much about him and won't comment on the facts you have put forth.

    However having read and shared some of his post I have seen the kind of language people use. I doubt he would have left but for the troll but had he been forced to leave due to critical writing by other people with substance (like you have done) I doubt that # hashtag would have been there.

    There are vested interest in every news channel and anchor's are only the face of that vested interest. it is a corporate set up that functions like any other and the only way to fight back is through making sure the information reaches people.

    Media as a fourth pillar in India has had it's own share of fall and rise. Good thing is that now we have people in different walk of life coming forward and sharing their knowledge and information that is available to all and sundry.

    A great beginning and all tbe best my friend but be ready for both counterview and troll as and when your thought don't resembles with majority :-)

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    Replies
    1. Jayant, thank you so much for your encouraging feedback and valuable advice.
      Please continue to visit my blog and do respond to my articles even if you vehemently disagree with my views, I would appreciate it always. A healthy discussion and debate will only help me get enlightened.

      Warm Regards,
      Rajnish

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    2. Amazing buddy keep up the good work. I will keep visiting you and hope to read many more articles :-)

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    3. Amazing buddy keep up the good work. I will keep visiting you and hope to read many more articles :-)

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  3. I admire the amount of research you've "chipped-into" this article but it's unfortunate that you couldn't cite even a single reference to establish your claim. For example, any evidence indicating Mr Pandey was fighting elections from INC's ticket, he's a brother of the Journalist Mr Ravish Kumar [of NDTV], evidence of him campaigning for his "brother" at "ground zero" during the very same period he took a sabbatical from social media, et cetera. Until then, your "findings/revelation" will only stand as plain allegations (“hearsay”) from the perspective of actual neutral/unbiased individual. :)

    P.S. Look, I haven't "nitpicked" your claim of him having a soft-corner for anyone directly related to the INC "ever since the inception", which definitely sounds like an influenced opinion rather any honest conclusion. :)

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  5. I don't think what you have said is right, Brajesh Kumar Pandey is an old congress hand in the state and has been active in state politics for over two decades. He missed out on the ticket in 2010 as he was considered to be in the camp of the present State President Ashok Choudhary. Now in 2015 when Choudhary was the helm, he ensured that Pandey got a ticket from the Govindganj seat in Mahagathbandhan. Just because of family relations and without knowing the whole truth it is wrong to label someone as biased

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