Being a mass media student, I have often viewed media with a critical lens. Questions such as — Is the media objective? Is the media doing its role as the fourth estate? Is the media using news as a TRP generating machine? — have bothered me.
These are questions that cannot be answered with a single yes or no. Now, in the current situation I have found that many are negatively criticising media for its TRP driven performances on television. But we must not forget that it is the same TRP driven performance that brought justice to Jessica Lal. The same media that has uncovered many mysteries of society. It has given unconditional support to the cause of marginalised communities. How would we have got to know about the plight of migrant workers but for media? How would we have been motivated to help them out through NGOs? How could the stigma around many social issues reduce?
For all the above questions, media is the answer. And not only the media, social media is also an equal participant. It has given a tool to the citizens to voice their opinions freely. Yes, there are negative aspects to this. Trolling is one major problem. But in a democracy and society everyone has a say and its best to accept both positives and negatives with a pinch of salt.
We live in a Democracy where we have a lot of options. There are a lot of options in media too. If dissatisfied with mainstream media we always have alternative sources and voices. It is time we stop criticising the negatives and start embracing the positives. Only then can Democracy flourish.