Media profession at large must introspect, not stand by those spreading fake news
Context:
- Fake news is like fast food — quick and tasty. It has been the reason for social upheaval not only in India but globally. All it takes is one false news item to spark panic and even violence.
- This becomes even more problematic when those who are supposed to be the custodians of free speech, honesty, and civil discourse abandon these virtues, preferring fake news to drive home their point. Media, which has shown its ugly side on more than one occasion in the last fortnight.
- One of the protester’s tractor overturned on republic day violence due to which he sustained injuries and, sadly, passed away. Yet, a few people in the media and politics linked this protester’s death to a police shooting.
Ethics of Journalism:
- The cardinal rule of journalism is to verify before sharing news. Why was such verification not done?
- The unintended consequences of fake news are many. Most notably, it strengthens the hands of those nations who are determined to show India in poor light.
- The crisis in the media has been simmering for years. This is the same media that stood horribly discredited in the summer of 2009 when journalists were not reporting on Cabinet berths but fixing them.
- In fact, just a day before the fake news of the police killing farmers, the same group of media eminences ridiculed the office of the President for unveiling a portrait of a film star who played Subhas Bose instead of Netaji Bose.
- Extended commentaries were made about the falling discourse, only to be retracted later.
Way Forward:
- The right to free speech is also complemented by duties. If you have a right as a journalist you have a duty towards the nation — besides the duty of being truthful as a journalist.
- Moreover, institutions must introspect and have the ability to self-correct. Many healthy institutions display this characteristic.
- If such introspection had been done by the media instead of a brazen defence of the perpetrators, perhaps the recent events would never have happened.
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