Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Attitude

Pratyush

Pratyush — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Interesting write up.. the media is changing its face and now and everyone is a press in 21st century. People need a platform to report an incident and share their own views on any incident of global or local importance. Instablogs is doing exactly the same by providing common people a platform to share their views with people of rest of the world. Here, there is no fight for TRPs...

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I was not talking about just us, but was trying to take a look at media as a whole. I do not think I stated that this was exclusively about us, but if that is the impression you get from the write up, then let me tell you that it is not the case. I was talking more about my TV and even you know how that goes. Yes, there are no TRPs here and I’m happy for that. Let it remain that way.

Pratyush

Pratyush — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Let me add one more thing here..mainstream media is now not talking about facts but assumptions only. You may hear lines like ... this is being said, It is just as, I do believe, its my view... Where are facts in the news? Mainstream media has become a medium to create rumours. People in power openly use the medium to create propaganda against their business or professional rivals. It is the story of almost every country where media has strong voice.

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@Pratyush

You are so right on that. Gossip is the in thing in mainstream media these days. What are the stars thinking and who are they flirting with- that is the big issue. There are some channels that are so low, that they would almost talk endlessly about Aishwarya’s horoscope only for a couple of days. This probably is a whole different issue.

I was actually more bothered about the guys who pick up news that matters and makes an impact and then forget it by the time next big story hits. We talked right here extensively about Indian Hockey and so did a million channels two weeks back. But now we are content to move on, even without worrying until the next big loss. I bet we will talk here and everywhere about why we didn’t win an Olympic gold very soon and then forget it sooner. Media is doing a fine job, but its success cannot be accidental. A bit more perseverance- maybe!

I bet Goebbels would have loved this era; right?

Justin

Justin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The internet couldn’t have come along at a better time. Right as the Corporate Media failed us more than ever before, the internet filled the void left behind...but of course we’re not supposed to be critical of this articles alleged generalizations.

Muhammad

Muhammad — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It really entertains me to see how much of a bias most of the mainstream media outlets throws at our faces...i really watch it to get the fun out of it, however, talking about the role of the new media..i think i no longer be able to laugh at things being reported coz sooner or later we will be having Citizen Journalists standing all over the place getting ready to pen down a story without ”ifs”, ”buts” and ”i think”, ”my suggestion” and crap we have to take in every day.

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Justin, you are more than allowed to be critical of what you want. That is the beauty of where we are. As far as generalizations go, the problem is that several specific examples just take up too much space and you will be left with is a piece that is so long that you won;t get to the end of it. Many already tell me the present stuff is too long, so the generalizations stem from a consistent pattern.

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@ Muhammad

So entertainment is what you are looking for in news? Very interesting. I suppose this is exactly the reason why programs are stooping such new lows. So you feel the if’s and buts and personal opinions are crap... I might be tempted to say that is the why Pakistan is struggling with democracy- Lack of belief in freedom of expression. But then I do not want to be accused of another generalization and I’m sure that there are plenty across the border who love to have a say and being told gossip, so i will not say so.

Ranita

Ranita — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Media has obviously undergone a huge evolution under the last few decades. But whether it is for the good or bad that is a real question. With incidents like the paparazzi chasing Princess Diana to death only to seek exclusive news item and Daniel pearl getting killed in teh cluthches of marauding terrorism only becoz he wante to prove the edge of his news item and his dare devil spirit rather gives negatively novice versions of teh change. These days i get seek and tired of the continuous repetitions of how exclusive a particular channel is in telecasting a nerws item and that too they are the first ones in the list. it is so bugging, a creepy voice just muttering a few sentences about the actual news and thereon repeating the same lines over and over again. Just one question, is the purpose of the channel to telecast a news in the best possible way to the viewers or is it to prove hopw efficient the channel is that they are showing it before anybody else could cover the news?? If this is called making a difference then i have to think otherwise for sure!!

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@Ranita

Death of the Queen of Hearts... I suppose that is a sore point that most of us still feel very sad about. I totally understand your frustrations and I suppose i can also imagine very easily the channels you are talking about. Yes, it is more than just annoying. It is not the path we wish to take and that attitude of mainstream media has to change before it is taken too far forward. I just hope that it does change.

Fredrik

Fredrik — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hey TRP thing is and will remain in existence for sure. The only difference is that readers won’t be forced to remain passive anymore. The social media has developed because people wanted to express their views also; and it proved that many times they are far more important than the main content.

The traditional media has lost the ‘everything-here-gospel-truth’ status. Readers have realized that stories can be plant also and with that evaporated their faith in it.

The point about entertainment news being given importance can’t be even answered by social media. On the other hand the problem will get more amplified. The modern generation is under no obligation to read or even glimpse the political or any other news in which they have no interest. Earlier, at least, they saw some headlines which surfing the channels.

But it can not be rejected that social media is here and here to stay and grow.

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Social Media is indeed here to stay and it will continue to grow. It will be important how we use it and how well we make sure that it takes the right path forward.

Jayaprashanth

Jayaprashanth — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

One line that really gets to me is ”he/she said and i quote”

The news reporters look like some preprogrammed machines who are around to present news in the most insipid way ever possible. Why can’t they learn to express rather than monotonously read out news with an Americanised drawl?

Sameer Kumar

Sameer Kumar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

yes, that is true. Maybe they are too concerned to be politically correct and they do not want to screw up somebody. It is probably the fact that they are strictly told to do so. I think this ’i quote’ thing started only recently. I did notice it only recently.