The report of the two-member subcommittee comprising Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and K. Sreenivas Reddy set up by the Press Council of India (PCI) to examine the Paid News scandal was originally scheduled to be released on April 26, 2010.
Its release was then "deferred" and on July 30, 2010, the PCI came out with a much watered down version of the report without any of the specifics detailed in the original .The original report was reduced to a mere footnote .The Council decided that the report of the Sub-Committee may remain on record of the Council as reference document. It is now not even available even for "reference" on the PCI website .
This is a “calling” for all PCI members who were in favour of the original PCI report on 'Paid News' being annexed to the "final" report and also to all the ‘good people” of India who still believe in ethics and morality in media being essential for the survival of the Indian democracy . .
Paid news is the gravest threat to Indian society and Indian democracy .The misuse of media and the absence of “true journalism” due to the advent of ‘paid news’ bears responsibility to a great extent to the loss of values in Indian society . From highly publicized unnecessary products to hyped frivolous political issues & most un-worthy politicians , unethical propaganda by the modern media is the most viral and dangerous flu in India today that is sparing only a “ thinking “ few. Where once upon a time media had been a catalyst to development and awareness, today it has given birth to a mad race; a race that leads to nowhere; a race to destruction of the country . Paid news and unethical ‘advertisements’ by corporate owned media’ are the villian. The Radia tapes is ample testimony .
The vaulting ambition among the middle class to become insta-rich by any means is being driven by the vulgar display of riches and the glamorous lifestyle of the ultra rich picturised daily on our newspapers and on TV screens . If “INDIA SHINING” is being shown on the 200 odd TV channels and in most newspapers / magazines, over the past few years , it is a conspiracy by the Corporate backed Polticians and Corporate owned MEDIA- to showcase an India that suits their SELFISH and SELF-SERVING cause . Promotion and manipulation of society have become the agenda of such media in India today , to share the booty with the large corporations and politicians . ‘Paid news’ is one of the medium they use to achieve this objective .The mass media which are aware of their reach and influence present a picture larger than life, shirking their responsibility to provide their audience a broad sociological, psychological and truthful understanding of all issues.
People are the nation and the national character and ethos today is a reflection of the peoples' value system . In all the finger-pointing that is going on today amidst the emerging scams , what is perhaps not acknowledged is that moral degeneration is frighteningly rampant in the entire social fabric in India . And yet there are no voices in the Indian society and media CALLING for a social awakening . The average citizen is more than a willing participant today in compromise, corruption and a lot worse provided it is a “get-rich-quick’ opportunity. What is driving this frenzy of greed and ambition in India that we have forgotten all values & the ‘Indian spirituality’ is missing in total from the Indians' life-style ? What is driving the almost hysterical greed and ambition, frustration , and increasing polarisation between different sections of the population.? This can be debated , but for sure the concept of 'Paid news' practised by the Indian media today will also emerge as responsible to a great extent .
The media which was originaly meant to keep the politicians and corporations in check , today has joined hands with them and is adding fuel to this raging fire that is consuming the country . Suitable regulations must be implemented immediately to uphold the independence of the Indian media . Support and promotion of paid news should be crushed by all means , by all those who are concerned about India and Indian society .
THE REMNANTS OF ETHICAL MEDIA IN INDIA , SHOULD FIGHT FOR “PAID NEWS” TO BE TOTALLY BANNED.
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