Mass Media and Its Responsibilities

The extent of reach which Mass Media commands in this digital age is truly amazing and serves as an eye opener; both in terms of viewership and the ability to influence a person’s thinking. But why do I get the feeling that Mass Media is misusing this power, misleading people, creating unnecessary hype to increase circulation numbers? With absolute power comes great responsibility. Mass Media has acquired absolute power, but lacks in the responsibility department.

Let me explain, using an example, why I have this grouse against Mass Media.

By “Mass Media” I am referring to the most common form of news outlet, the newspaper, which includes both print and online versions. Recently the G8 summit in Japan had concluded, with pledges on the food and oil crises and climate change among other things.

As usual, the summit received its usual share of media coverage. But a few publications such as The Daily Mail and The Washington Times had a completely different take on the proceedings. Food crisis was one of the major issues that was addressed at the summit. But these two publications took it upon themselves to bring it to public notice that the leaders and the dignitaries gorged upon an 18-course banquet which they had apparently found hard to swallow.

The headline from The Daily Mail screamed “Summit that's Hard to Swallow – World Leaders Enjoy 18-Course Banquet as They Discuss How to Solve Global Food Crisis.” The article carried pictures of the leaders enjoying the extravagant banquet, the menu and a picture of a malnourished group of people as a contrast. The article, written by James Chapman lambasts the G8 summit members for treating themselves to a lavish banquet while urging the world to stop wasting food and combat rising prices and a global shortage of provisions. The sarcasm was pretty obvious as you will be able to perceive from the following quotes from the article:

“The world leaders sat down to an 18-course gastronomic extravaganza at a G8 summit in Japan, which is focusing on the food crisis.”

“G8 leaders discussing the world food crisis in Japan raise their glasses ahead of an 18-course dinner.”

Dominic Nutt, of the charity Save the Children is quoted saying, “It is deeply hypocritical that they should be lavishing course after course on world leaders when there is a food crisis and millions cannot afford a decent meal. If the G8 wants to betray the hopes of a generation of children, it is going the right way about it. The food crisis is an emergency and the G8 must treat it as that.”

Here are some excerpts from The Washington Times article:

“Lentil soup and a crust of bread as the first, second and third course at a recent G8 summit in Japan might at least have conveyed the impression the leaders of the world's principal industrialized nations were focused on a fast-unfolding food shortage engulfing the entire planet.”

“Instead, the convivial summiteers feasted on a six-course lunch at a five-star lakeside hotel on the island of Hokkaido, followed that evening by an eight-course heartburning dinner, from Kyoto beef shabu-shabu, to dicey fatty tuna, to clams floating in Shiso, to broiled prawns in Tosazu, to salt-grilled rockfish, to milk-fed baby lamb to G8 ‘Fantasy Desert,’ all washed down by wine and champagne vintages from all over the world. To then make global food security a top priority was a tad Pecksniffian.”

“Year in and year out, the G8 meet in a bucolic setting pleasing on the eyes that tends to act as a soporific on the part of the brain that allows summiteers to anticipate global crises.”

“In Japan last month, the Eight Big Ones agreed to reconvene in 2009 on the Mediterranean island La Maddalena, nestled in the Straits of Bonifacio between Corsica and Northern Sardinia, one of the last untouched beautiful spots in the world. But they could save their taxpayers a bundle by canceling their reservations now and videoconferencing instead – twice a year.”

My grouse is – why focus on trivial issues such as the food that was consumed and the location of the G8 summit? Why not focus on the critical issues such as food and oil crisis, climate change and so on? With the reach that these publications have, they can put it to good use by spreading awareness on these issues. But instead, they chose to focus on the menu and the food which the leaders consumed, and gripe about the exotic locations in which the G8 summit would be held in future.

What did they expect? The world leaders would assemble in a dingy hall and hammer out a solution to the crises that are afflicting the world, munching on plain bread. C’mon. It’s a three day summit where the Head’s of Nation’s assemble. Is Japan to blame for treating them to a “royal banquet?” I believe Japan just upheld its tradition by showcasing its culture and generosity by playing a perfect host to the G8 Summit.

Am I wrong in saying that these publications could have done better? Is my grouse unjustified? Am I biased? Are my views shortsighted?

Sources: The Washington Times, The Daily Mail

By Rakesh Reddy R.

The days that changed my life…

It was like any other day when I woke up and looked at the watch. I knew that from then on my life was going to be different and tedious too. My memories flooded back to those days when I used to lazily lie down on my bed happy with the fact that my exams were over and I had a huge break to relax my lazy bones and live life the way I wanted. But MBA had taken its toll on me and was to shape my life till the end. I enrolled myself into one of the companies named EmPower Research Knowledge Services (P) Ltd.; I smirked at the fact that I, who did not have any power, was expected to empower it and vice versa. I got dressed in my best formal clothes – the myriad of advices poured in from professors, parents and many renowned individuals (all the characters I had come across while reading books of tycoons and the success mantras to be a professional) had convinced me that the first impression would be the last impression. I was not thinking of days, but yes of two months of gruelling effort that I would have to put into a project that would be scrutinised; to me it looked like a litmus test that I had to pass. From then on it was serious countdown and showtime.

On the D-day, I went and reported at the right time. I was welcomed in a way that no book had taught me, no tycoons had defined much about, nothing that my close ones had revealed to me – “The power of smile”. It felt so nice and I struck up a conversation with the Senior HR Manager of the organisation. She inquired about my arrival and also gave me a warm handshake and again a warm smile saying “Welcome, you’re officially on board madam”. I smiled. This was indeed something that made me feel more comfortable. From then on there was no turning back as I met another bubbly character, the HR Executive of Empower who made me feel at home. She took me all around the office and helped me whenever I was in need, in spite of her work load. I was not treated as an intern, but as another employee who was there to make a career of her own. I was always treated with sincerity and courtesy. The employees were addressed by their first names and given the due respect that any individual deserved. I forgot the last time I participated in a Rangoli competition. It was great fun and there was never a point of time when I was treated differently. The result was that I worked more passionately and enjoyed what I did. I never felt that I was working, but felt that I was conducting a certain study and at the same time enhancing my knowledge. Each day after I went home from work I felt more rejuvenated and would eagerly wait for the next day so that I could feel better doing something different from what I had done before. Because it was not just work, it was like meeting my friends and learning something new from them each day. It was a wonderful experience when I personally met all the Directors of each department. My mind set changed totally when I discovered what professionalism meant to them – being simple in their gestures and high in their thinking. What made the difference was their outlook and attachment towards each employee of the organisation.

It has been an eye opener for me – understanding the fact that work life is something that has different perspectives. It changed the way I saw things and also made me understand the importance of seeing life from a different angle. It was a dress rehearsal for my actual work life. It made me understand what I should be expecting from the work area and how I should enhance my skills in order to reach my goals. I enjoyed what I did and was positive throughout. I certainly think I was blessed for getting the chance to work for such an organisation which gave me a feel of the real-life work culture in such a way that it made me smile.

By Sanghamitra Dhar