Today, a lot of media has come under the
power of industrialists. It’s not just a lot, but a major portion I believe.
Large corporations are buying off small newspapers, television channels,
websites or head hunting their best employees to work for their media
subsidiaries.
Image Courtesy: Google Images. |
It seems all the varied media houses, all
the options in the media that we had are being collected under a few big
banners who mean to take control of what is viewed by the populace, not only in
India but round the world. It is of course in the interests of these oil
barons, telecommunication tycoons and entertainment giants to buy out or
control a majority shareholding in news outlets.
It is not hard even for a layman to
understand what kind of manipulation of the news can take place once the
channel or channels are in direct control of their new boss; Positive
publicity, doses of advertising, hiding unfavourable news and sensationalizing
the news to increase viewership and thereby, revenue.
Image Courtesy: Google Images. |
Assuming that those who start news outlets
in the form of newspapers, television channels and news websites do so with a
view of upholding the true spirit of journalism, we can see what happens after
they are bought out by these selfish and to an extent, parasitic corporations
who then manage to pocket truckloads of cash by just giving the public the show
they want, and not anything substantial.
Journalism, ever since it got pulled into
the race for giants trying to control the media, has become a difficult job. Trying
to publish a substantial news story becomes as much of a job as getting the
story especially if the story is about something that concerns the other
subsidiary company held by the parent company which also happens to be a major
shareholder of your media house. It can also be difficult in case the story is
about that minister or officer or public figure whose campaign is funded by the
corporation that owns your media house. Well, if it positive news, it will
probably run the whole day but if it is even slightly negative, it goes against
the policies of the newspaper or channel. Clear out the story or clear out your
desk.
Image Courtesy: Google Images. |
Another disastrous downside of these
mergers and buyouts in the media is that large corporate now own many channels
and publications under a single roof. If one of them does not bring in as much
revenue as the rest, it will either be shut down or downsized to cut losses. It
is because of this very same reason that sensationalism has become a big part
of the media today. Ridiculous things are hyped, people are made to shout at
each other, anchors try to grab the limelight and in the middle of all of this,
the substantial news is loss in the echoes of those trying to get it out over
the cacophony of all the garbage that occupies our screens.
With the latest buyout of those who claim
to be ‘18 till they die’, here’s hoping that this media house doesn't change
its colour from Red to Saffron.
Here is a video that will help you understand what is happening to the Indian media, albeit from a foreign perspective: Indian Media has never had it so Bad
Here is a video that will help you understand what is happening to the Indian media, albeit from a foreign perspective: Indian Media has never had it so Bad
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