I was drawn towards a discussion among a group of
young college students who boarded the metro at Rajiv Chowk for G.T.B. Nagar
near Vishwavidyalaya. They were discussing the state of democracy, particularly the
role of media in present times. The debate drew my interest for even though I read
newspaper daily, the manner these students were analyzing newspaper reports left
me amazed at the level of their maturity. They were unanimous in their
opinion that the media has lost its credibility in present times. To prove his
point one of them drew attention of his fellow colleagues towards a news item in
a leading national daily “THE TIMES OF
INDIA”. To cut matter short I decided to verify the facts my self when I reached home. The particular news item had missed my attention. The Times of
India, which prides itself as the most circulated newspaper in NCR had
published a news item on 15th October 2017, giving it the prime of
the place in the newspaper in bold, titled “NTPC jobs for Akhlaq Lynching Accused”. This piece of news, one will
agree, had the potential of flaring up the tempers in a fractured society in these
volatile times. The Times of India did not bother to cross check the
correctness of the report.
 |
| The Times of India, October 15th, 2017 |
On the very next day it published the denial from
the NTPC with the caption “No jobs for
Akhlaq Accused: NTPC”. But while doing so it conveniently tucked away this
piece of news item in a corner without offering to apologize for publishing a news
item without verifying the facts. This can be termed as the height of irresponsible
journalism. It is unfortunate that nothing happens and no one punishes media for such failures.
 |
| The times of India, October 16th, 2017 |
The parting words from one of the student struck me. “It is pathetic that the
fourth pillar of democracy is crumbling faster than the other three. God save
the country”.
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