Where is the Unbiased Media??

- Ankit Nagori

A couple of days back, I was watching an election TV debate on a prominent English news channel. There were representatives from all major political parties, and besides them, there were a couple of political experts and of course the anchor from the news channel. I generally enjoy such discussions because, they are pointed discussions and they bring out the best side of all the politicians involved. But that day, I didn't enjoy the debate. I was annoyed to watch it. For once, my belief on the phrase 'Unbiased Media' was shaken. There were many reasons to it. Lets look at them one by one:

1. There were 6-7 people participating in the debate. Out of which only one politician belonged to a separate school of thought. Rest six belonged to a 'secular' mindset. Why is it that no other politician from a similar school of thought was invited for the debate. It has become a trend to pit one politician from the so called "non secular" party against a combined force of 6-7 secular politicians. It hardly was a balanced debate. And the leader rightly lost his cool over this issue.

2. The political experts who were present there were extremely cynical in their views. But that too against a particular alliance. Its very difficult for a political analyst to have an unbiased opinion, but then why not invite 2-3 experts who represent diverse school of thoughts.

3. The role of the anchor is to moderate the discussion and bring order to the debate. Here, the anchor was playing his own part to sideline the leader who was already against 7-8 people alone. The anchor was clearly not being unbiased in his comments and closing statements.

These few points made me analyse the media space in the last few days. The Varun Gandhi issue has been grabbing so much media space. Why? Even if he is wrong, let it be. Let the law take its own course. Why is the incident being blown out of proportion. These thoughts made me more cynical towards my analysis and I realised that during last elections, news channel would go to villages, show a malnutrition child and ask us if this is 'India Shining'. I am sure the situation in those villages is still the same. But this time they are not going there and asking if this is "Bharat Nirmaan". News channels, especially the English Media is playing a very unhealthy role in these elections and its outlook is extremely biased against a particular alliance. This is a sad thing for a country which soon will be polling to choose their next Prime Minister. People should at least have access to unbiased and true reports and information so that they can take best possible decisions.

We all have a bias towards a particular party, but we media persons, cannot reflect our biased views in our reports. This is why, the need of a citizen journalism model is more than ever. In this article, I am not trying to take any sides, but I am just trying to express my disappointment at the irresponsibility which English News channels are showing.


Jai Hind!