Perhaps in the absence of a proper regulation, part of the mainstream media has turned a blind eye to its professional ethics. In the interest of this country's nationals, the media should report in a fair and unbiased manner. They should apprehend the consequential importance of events happening around and report issues in an impartial and dispassionate manner. At any cost, they must not fabricate or manipulate facts.

Unbiased reporting

It should bring all aspects of incidents (available till that time of reporting) before the public. Ignoring this point of conduct will lead to severe damage to democracy as hiding any part of the story results in creation of wrong and prejudicial public opinion.

For instance, in 2008, there were some allegations made against a renowned Hindu saint. Together with reporting the allegations, media also started trying the case like a court and it is without hand-leg like conclusions were kept on showing. Some of the media groups played with the issue very unconstitutionally. They overstepped the periphery by playing the role of judiciary.

Misdeeds of the media groups do not end here in the case. The other side, against whom allegations were made, called a press conference in Delhi and released a CD of a sting operation done by two person. This side claimed that all allegations made are false and this is evident from the content of the sting operation CD. But none of the mainstream media gave an inch of space to this side. Reporting one side of the story as breaking news and not uttering a single word about the other side of the same story, therefore, clearly reflects its biased attitude.

Understand the importance of various incidents


It must realise the importance of various incidents happening around and according to their importance it should give space to them while reporting.

One article published in Kolkata edition of ‘The Hindu’ on August 30, tells about the difference in the levels of violence in Kashmir and Manipur. Over a period of two months from May 15 to July 15 of this year, human killings in Manipur were six times more than in Kashmir. But the mainstream media picked up the Manipur’s conflicts relatively less no of times.

Over the period, DNA Mumbai published 25 stories about the bloodshed of Kashmir while not a single story about the Manipur violence. Similarly, Delhi edition of ‘Times of India’ found place for two and 48 stories of Manipur and Kashmir killings respectively.

Delhi edition of ‘Indian Express’ were no behind in the race observed during the two month period. It gave space to 60 stories from Kashmir alone and only eight stories from Manipur were published.

This shows how conscious the media is in giving space to various news. This action may cast shadow over nation’s integrity.

A section of media is attempting to bring the news in the ‘Golden Sphere’ of advertising by marketing their ‘packages’. This practice is becoming common especially in election seasons. By subscribing their ‘packages’, you can avail of desired space for your version of an incident or news in their media. Heavier the ‘package’ is, more will be the coverage. So, where is the distinction between news and advertisements now? It is a crystal clear case of injustice.

Neither create nor manipulate rather report

Few media groups have even started daring to produce news on their own. Times of India in its issue dated September 15, published the article "ITBP jawans injured in China border shootout" as lead news. But both the countries officially denied the incident. Media often use the phrase ‘from highly placed sources’ to give things a realistic shade. TOI also did the same here. So, to know who are the ‘highly placed intelligence sources’ home ministry has decided to file an FIR against the two reporters of TOI.

In the interest of this whole nation, the section of media should now wake up from the deep sleep of self interests and assume its original role of properly holding the government and corporate leaders accountable. It should now take part in conducing such an environment where media coverage will be twinkled by credibility and impartiality.