When eyes of the democracy blinks

It takes ingenious effort to build up the pillars of the democracy. It takes a lot before we define the word "freedom of expression" and its dignified importance in the world's largest democracy.

I am the taker of both, Lippmannism and John Deweyism. I agree with walter lippmann - who debated widely the role of journalism. At the same time I also firmly believe the role of community journalism. ( Big fight, Face the nation, Ham Log and other public debates are some illustration of community journalism). What is my ulterior motive behind my inclination to some ideology ? Do not catch me wrong. I am clearly building the case before I go after some idiots or acclaimed journos.

It is ghastly to see Rakhi slapping her BF. It is amusing to read " Raj Thakrey ne Dahi aur Sakkar khaya, wo nek kaam se jail gaye - Sasur ka bayaan". It is surprising to see a breaking news when Mr. Amitabh shivers or her daughter in law sneezes out side Leelavati hospital. Why are we behaving like a suppressed spring coming out of a box post Doordarshan era? Or is this a normal behaviour in a content-less media ? Or its just a competition among news channel to steal the TRPs from Saans Bahu channels ? Why are they selling soft (usual) news in the wrapper of Breaking news all the time? Lastly, why some of leading print media devotes more number of pages to gossips, pg3 and sleazy khabarein than their national news coverage?

Dear readers, I don't mean to portray just a dismal picture of my(our) eyes. We do have Karan Thapar, Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai, Aroon puri, Veer Sanghavi, Prabhu Chawala and endless list of prominent khabri(s). Take some examples, journos like Udyan Mukharjee - who dared and became the first one to voice the genuine opinion against R-Power issue highlighting his concerns against it's valuation and cautioned the retail investor openly in his column in HT, Karan Thapar daring many politician in their own drawing room fearlessly, Barkha Dutt covering news in riot affected area without so called Z security and there are many more examples. There are news channels where content based programmes are brought to audience and eagerly watched by them - Citizen Journalist by CNN IBN, Some of the debates by NDTVs and Times now. There are print media guys like Indian Express, TOI, HT, The Hindu, Economic and Political weekly etc. whom we can really depend on to see the things beyond our vision.

My friend Ketan argues that its simply demand and supply. Many readers would agree to him. I discordant to his opinion based on my perception - if you serve something good, people do buy if not now then latter. Best examples are the recent success of Taare Zameen Par and the success of Devil's Advocate and many more content based shows to cite.

I think we are at cross roads of some good and bad choices; between variety of programmes served via many medium. Lets be a class a part. Lets listen and watch the news in the manner it should be rather than a thrilling style of a bollywood movie. I do like to read PG3 news but not at the cost of readable article which is normally encroached by gossips of our beloved Rakhi. Lets give a round of applause for the one who broke real news from the street of Mumbai on 31 Dec. about NRI woman molestation or for someone from a red's land Singur than merely overly celebrating something which is just 'eye candy'.

Choice is ours'!