The Ugly side of Media

When I gave up my lucrative profession in accountancy for journalism, I believed that I can make a difference by telling stories that need to be told. I still want to believe in this dream, but at the institution I study at, it seems to be fading each passing day.

I study in the top J-school in India. At least in theory, it is a revered name as far as placement in media is concerned. The disappointment that me and several others are feeling at the level of education is just appalling to say the least. Most of the faculty seems incompetent and the money that we spent for the admission here seems wasted.

As part of the course module, we are supposed to cover stories and events happening around the city. I went to report (for the college assignment), the story of a five year old kid who was tortured by his father. The local media had covered it, the national media saw this young boy's story as a TRP fodder and reported it with fake concern.

I have my reasons to say fake.

While I was at the young boy's residence, there was a reporter from a leading national news channel who came to film a few shots. After she was done with it, I spoke to her about how the boy was doing now and who was with the boy. She provided a lot of detail and then added "Its just one minute news you know. Do you think national television cares? Do you think anybody cares?". It was shocking.

When I came back to the college to file the story, I was horrified. Everyone was teeming up near the hospital where this young child was recovering. Everyone wanted to take a picture of him, capture it on video. As a result, he was shifted to the intensive care unit from the general ward, in order to protect his privacy.

This was the line that I had chosen. A profession that I thought would care for the uncared. But all it seemed to me like the institution had all become too commercial. Every story was a revenue model to them. Every misery was another way to mint money.

I could not bring myself to meet the boy. I didn't want to. I don't know if I should have, but I just didn't want to. As the policeman I met passed a comment, "This has become a circus". I couldn't agree more. I too felt like a puppet, when I submitted the assignment for evaluation. Wasn't I serving my vested interest as well?

Maybe I've got on to the ugly side of the media after all.