During the latest India-Pakistan war, several TV channels made announcements. They stated that the Indian army had infiltrated many kilometers of POK. They also claimed a specific port was destroyed. Later, during fact-checks, these myths were busted. And not to forget, the international media community openly laughed at the Indian media for such fake news reporting.
For avid Indian TV viewers, this type of reporting has become the norm for quite some time now. They watch the prime-time shows on reputable TV channels. Channels and news anchors feel free to express themselves with lies or half-baked truths. They do this to a gullible audience to boost TRP. There is no fact-checking mechanism for news broadcasting. The standard of Indian media has deteriorated significantly. As a result, India’s position in the Press Freedom Index continues to decline year after year. Many critics call the Indian media the Godi media for a reason. The press literally sits in the lap of the ruling government. It reports according to the whims and preferences of its supervisor. This is done to suit the political agenda.
Consider the incident where video game reels were played. They were used to showcase the actual war scene to the audience. Almost all news anchors dress for the news to spice things up, since it’s a clown show sometimes. During the war, anchors dressed up as soldiers. During floods or cyclones, special VFX is played in the background to match the ambiance. These tactics conceal the hollowness of the facts and of news reporting. During one of the similar shows, the anchor was seen theatrically asking for drugs!
The gullibility of the audience is a primary reason the Indian media are reluctant to conduct proper news reporting. They also adhere to the ideology that underpins the entire ecosystem; furthermore, favorable government advertising that profits from it further reinforces this reluctance. Media channels feel free to spread fake news. This occurs as long as profit maximization is at the top of the food chain.
Many active, neutral social media personalities strive to deliver news that matters to their audiences with authenticity. Alt-News is one such initiative where all the viral claims or news fact-checking is done properly. Those agendas don’t align with the verified facts, which often contradict the findings of independent investigative journalists.
Recently, the government attempted to establish a fact-checking committee to approve which news reports to publish after fact-checking. Many notable social activists filed suits against it in the Supreme Court, arguing that it would curtail freedom of expression. Thankfully, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the applicants.
The responsibility for promoting real news lies with journalists in the news and on social media. Their intentions, integrity, and inclination are crucial. It also depends on the administrators’ impartiality. The Indian audience needs to hear the real facts, nothing else!
The Witty Stride 