Good News, Bad news Priority

From the time printing began in the 15th century, events and information has assumed utmost importance in the life of man. With the advent of Technology and Journalism, man can now get the information that he seeks. Journalism has undergone changes in Technology, and now gives the public important information. Some Bad news which tell citizens of increased vigilance and encourages them to help democracy. Some Good news or Human Interest stories that may inspire citizens and help them feel positive about the world they live in. In the Western School of thought, Bad News always has to occupy front pages. Events regarding Politics, Socio-economic troubles, International Tensions always will dominate the front pages of western Liberal democracies like US, UK. In the Soviet times, Russia used its media to carry stories about the good aspects of Russia. Any event that could be good was covered, and bad news was relegated.

At that time, the west dismissed it as a Propoganda campaign, so that Citizens are not aware of the trouble the Russian state could be. But, looking at the new threat that confronts us, namely terrorism, we need to reassert what shall constitute good news and bad news. What impacts should this have on a multi-cultural society like India, which has been on the terrorist radar for so long? what needs to be done, because all bad news all the time may cause Citizens mindset to become negative, and withdrawn from the process.

I recently came across this critique by Outgoing Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. He said that the Media highlights too much of the bad aspects of our country. It does not put in that much effort to show the progress and the good things about our country. He cited an example of Israel, a place where Teror activities occur everyday. When the President was in Tel Aviv, a suicide bomber had struck, killing lots of people. He expected the story to be on the front page of an Israeli daily. But, to his surprise, he found a human interest story which acted as an inspiration to Israelis who heard and witnessed the horrific incident of that day. The story was about how a man turned his desert ranch into a beautiful fruitful Garden.

Looking at the above example from the Western Liberal Media, they would have scorned at this concept. They would have alleged that the Media in Israel is not doing its job. But, they did not say anything. Unlike dismissing Russia's Propoganda Media tactics during the Cold war, they did not mention this. I am not focusing on the Double standards of the West, but i do want to bring in the point that Journalism needs to advocate a model based on the socio-economic set-up of a nation.

What defines good news and Bad news? What has been made Priority information and events which assume secondary information? Once again, we are in the crossroads of Citizens right to information and Dumbing Down. I feel that All good and Human Interest stories should not be put in the garb of Dumbing Down, Similarly, all Serious stuff should not be put on the front page, so much so, that the Citizen gets discouraged about the world he lives in.

Overdose of serious news all the time leads to Citizens becoming Apathic to the process. It is seen that more serious the news, the more the public interprets as being very tough to handle. Too much of serious news saps the mental strength of the Citizens, thereby stalling the democratic process. Very few individuals may rise above that and remain positive, but they soon will have doubts. This is because whatever the Media portrays nowadays, with technological devices, becomes real and factual.

At the same time, too much of human interest and gossip is also not desirable. Dumbing down poses the same threat as overdose of serious news. The key for Media organizations in diverse countries is to understand their priorities, and strike a fine balance. It is this balance that will keep the Citizen active in the proces. They will realize that they are indispensable to the problems of the process, and thus will be more vigilant. By having a clear conscience and clear bearings on right and wrong, the media will aid the process of democracy.

The western liberal thought of Media functionign will lead to periodic stagnating of the process. An alternative view must be established that good news, human interest and not so serious stuff can also contribute to the democratic foundation. A balance of serious news, to make the Base strong, and an equal dose of good news, to keep Citizens positive and also engaged in the system, should be the ultimate aim of the Media