War of Narratives; Is Media Biasedness Justified?
The technological advancement and the progress all over the world has changed the perception of the world about media. World has reached to our drawing rooms due to globalization, privatization and liberalization and media has contributed in it. Media has set a stage for powerful entities to control the mind of the masses. Human beings are designed in a certain sense that whatever they listen and see, affects them to some extent. Along with the environment, family and friends, media also plays a crucial role in shaping the views of individuals. As current stats showed that almost 80% of households carry a piece of communication gadget in them, so it is convenient to fill up the head with needed information for the sake of entertainment or knowledge without putting any effort. Additionally, traditional media is also paving its way to extend at social media platforms.
The arrival of private electronic media crushed the monopoly of already existing monopolists by creating new trends and new ways of smearing information. It come forth with the idea in general public to expect more objectivity, hidden realities and accuracy from private media outlets because of having excessive freedom. Unfortunately, Privatization of the media has exacerbated the situation as it is constrained by the people who push personal interests. Private media deliberately does not pay attention to its role in society instead is keen to enhance business. At occasions media does not show complete biasedness but does not tell the complete truth. There is a quote which says:
“I do know that the slickest way to lie is to tell the right amount of truth…” Robert A.heinlein
Channels seek whatever heightens their profits even using wrong measures and spreading false narratives. Not all but prime goal of certain media outlets is to flourish their business and gain surplus value so that nobody could confront them at any level. Hence, on a whole with much of embarrassment it can be said that from the window of media business corrupt individuals can turn their black money into white.
Is the credibility and Quality of media declining?
As media runs on trust, an essential element of media is gaining the trust of the general public. Open biasedness, by partially representing clean side of specific political party results as losing the trust of masses. Credibility of media is getting questioned due to biasedness. For instance, in news TV shows the framing of questions or argument is either based on defense or opposition instead of stating facts or accurate information. Every channel follows explicit political agenda or holds tilt towards a political party. Such partiality hinders objectivity.
Should Blame be placed on journalists?
Just like our five fingers cannot be same similarly the personalities and characteristics of individuals differ from one another. All the criticism of being biased is faced by Journalists because they are prominent on screens and out bring information. However, not visible but the real power owners are media stakeholders who have their personal interests, business interests, and personal relationships with politicians. Journalists work as employees who have to follow the channel policy. The story behind is, in many cases the journalists who withstand with truth have to face personal pressure, life threats, and risk of losing job.
How Media biasedness is affecting the society?
Biasedness in information flow is making things complex that is why public confuses visibility with transparency. People see and believe whatever is shown to them on television. On multiple channels where multiple story lines, multiple narratives and counter narratives are going around. It is difficult for general public to judge how much of the information is being filtered, modified, blocked or concocted. Fake, inaccurate and abusive news fuels the emotions of the audience. Consequently, Mass media accelerates polarization and intolerance in the society. A shift to all time entertainment has hindered people’s thinking ability. Binge consumption of entertainment has destroyed culture of contemplating. Masses always choose superficiality because they lack objective reasoning skill.
What is the ethical responsibility of media?
Media biasedness is not justified at all. Media needs to be free, fair and neutral. It is the right of people as citizens of an independent state to acquire authentic news without any partiality or biasedness. Along with the executive, legislature and judiciary, media as fourth pillar of democracy demands to protect public interests from being violated. Media should use its freedom by not letting any kind of political or power influence effect its efficiency.
Conclusion
Summing it all, citizens are the asset of any nation. State should own the responsibility of protecting them not only physically but mentally, emotionally and psychologically as well. There must be some regulations that put strict restrictions on TV channels from promoting specific negative agendas and deviating people’s minds.
The writer is currently studying at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi.