Real journalism at stake in India: Jingoistic approach of media houses is perilous for peace in South Asia
Bhat Zaieem
Fake journalism is a type of propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. The false information is often caused by reporters for being paid for such stories. The fake journalism is highly unethical and inhuman and has capacity to destroy the world.
The other big reason for such journalists is to spread news in the ‘interest’ of nation to gain more fans and high ratings. But this kind of journalism is highly barbaric and is disguising its readers and listeners for selfish gains. This kind of journalism is under high practice in India these days and is proving erosive for peace in South Asia.
While everyone is hitting hard against war between India and Pakistan, the Indian media houses have turned into a war mafia. The journalism has biggest edge in bringing peace across every corner of the globe. But in India, the case has turned turtle and is waving its hands to fuel the war with Pakistan.
There can be nothing good than collateral talks to resolve disputes in any region of the world. Journalism has to play a pivotal role in building those peace bridges. They should in no case be bound by the government to align the news in the direction of self interest. Instead unbiased and clear news should be endorsed.
With the coming of Modi government the media houses of India have gone furious. They are leading the world in hurling fake and unconfirmed news. This has a political push from behind the curtain. As the current dispensation is only standing on the castles made with achievements through media, there are no suitable checks for the same.
Indian media started yelling unending debates right after the Pulwama attack. An air strike was done by India where the media knew more than those who carried the strike. Reports were so much baseless that besides giving the pictures of the place of attack by Pakistan, India was making ridiculous accusations in air.
Journalism should hear the voice of everyone whether he is a politician, social reformer, educationist or a common man. It should not be tilted in any case to avoid throwing the readers into oblivion of hypocrisy. News should be crystal clear and based on real observations. It should not be merely imprinted on what people want to say themselves.
It should be the voice of oppressed and exploited ones. Fake journalism is in practice in most of the occupied and disputed regions. But journalism should have been playing a clean and vivid role. The journalists should always act as the securities of humanity and should disclose the human rights violations happening in any part of the world.
Journalism should be used as a tool to save humanity all over the world. There should be no nationalistic bias while they are on the working field. What can be the major slaughter of the world when even the genocide of the oppressed people is shown as a blessing to the world? This hypocrisy proves more painful and leads to more alienation.
But completely a reverse thing is happening in India. The reality has been set ablaze by Indian media. They have reported tonnes of fake news regarding Kashmir to mask the human rights violations. Peaceful protests are mingled with the tags of terrorism, which actually is a trial to save them from being exposed.
Recently the tension between India and Pakistan has been the result of such dirty journalism. They are playing wars in television studios and new rooms. But the reality is far away from what is actually happening on the ground. Todays news anchors and at times editors have turned themselves into war mongers and are going uneasy with the intellectual groups.
Instead of escalating the tension, the journalists should work for de-escalating it, which unfortunately is not happening in both India and Pakistan. There should be some positive checks to halt the fake news across the globe; otherwise such fake journalism will turn the globe into a hell.
(The writer is a freelancer. He can be reached at [email protected])
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