(This article is a response to the wide dissemination of fake videos on the death of former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.)
‘Why is media here so negative?’ asked Kalam in a letter he had addressed to every Indian citizen.
Well today the question has seemed to have changed to ‘why the media here is bent upon fake news for publicity? Seems like a rather harsh question to ask by yet another media forum. Nevertheless, when we believe that the ‘truth endures’, the truth really must.
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was a gem of a person who, as the president of India, touched the lives of so many. From a student to a businessman; from the rich to the poor. There have been several occasions when he has spoken about the media and their responsibility in making India a fully developed nation, and in his death, the media in general seems to have found a way to be the opposite.
Another much loved president, Franklin D. Roosevelt said many years ago, that ‘great power involves great responsibility’. Today it’s surprising to observe the misuse of that power with more than one news channel showing the ‘collapse’ of the former president and his ‘last speech’ on their respective channels.
News Karnataka, being a media house at which we strive to ensure that truth endures, we are appalled that there have been videos (Click here and here and here to watch) doing the rounds on social media sites of the aforementioned incidents that are clearly misleading. These videos that have been aired / posted, seemingly to increase the eyeballs are fraudulent in that they are old clippings and pictures with a new title and in a new avatar.
Its time, as the powerful fourth pillar of our great democracy, the media exercises self restraint in sensitive moments. TRP’s and eyeballs do not a media star make. While it is true that people would like to have witnessed and heard the great leader one last time, that opportunity has to be genuine, so that the memories are lasting and cherished.
