I read with interest the below articles by Mrinal Pande on the corruption in vernacular press.
The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : Hindi media and an unreal discourse
The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : The gains from masking reality
Elections expose the underbelly of our dysfunctional democracy. In the past, when booth capturing was in vogue, politicians pampered with goondas. Now, the politicians are cuddling up to media people. The nature of corruption has become more sophisticated and the amount of money involved has grown in line (or exponentially?) with our economy. But corruption and politics continue to remain conjoined. Media is just the new battle ground.
In southern states, politicians have taken it to the next level, starting their own media channels. Andhra is a violent demonstration of misuse of political power to gain media control. In a short span of 5 years in power, Congress broke the backbone of Eenadu, started its own media entity, Sakshi, and grew from zero to 3600 crores.
Inspite of such ostentatious display of power, it remains that vernacular press is a tool in political corruption. Vernacular press is a sissy when compared to English Language Media. ELM is the torchbearer when it comes to selling editorial space. In fact, we, at this blog, make far greater accusations against ELM. But I will leave it for another day.
The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : Hindi media and an unreal discourse
The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : The gains from masking reality
Elections expose the underbelly of our dysfunctional democracy. In the past, when booth capturing was in vogue, politicians pampered with goondas. Now, the politicians are cuddling up to media people. The nature of corruption has become more sophisticated and the amount of money involved has grown in line (or exponentially?) with our economy. But corruption and politics continue to remain conjoined. Media is just the new battle ground.
In southern states, politicians have taken it to the next level, starting their own media channels. Andhra is a violent demonstration of misuse of political power to gain media control. In a short span of 5 years in power, Congress broke the backbone of Eenadu, started its own media entity, Sakshi, and grew from zero to 3600 crores.
Inspite of such ostentatious display of power, it remains that vernacular press is a tool in political corruption. Vernacular press is a sissy when compared to English Language Media. ELM is the torchbearer when it comes to selling editorial space. In fact, we, at this blog, make far greater accusations against ELM. But I will leave it for another day.
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