The platform for the masses

In my previous posts, i had mentioned that the rallying point for the masses, for an establishment of an egalitarian society, has to be the economy. This post explores the platform through which it can reach the urban elite. The elite, along with the economic and political interests, have to get the message. The message of mass neglect as well as elite preferences will result in greater polarization between urban and rural India.

The media and inter-personal communication at a macro level are the two platforms. There may be several, but they are either vague or not beneficial to the cause of mass equality. The media is the ideal platform, because they have the capability to reach and bridge diverse social identities. They can create revolutions, make citizens aware of their duties and at the same time inform them of their functions and duties in a democracy through information.

But, this is not an ideal world. In today's media, it has been constrained by elite and commercial interests. Serious issues, regarding political and societal discrepancies, are shunned for gossip, sex and violence. Tabloid news, notably on TV and newspapers, are prominent because the people seem to prefer it. Politics, which is already being dismissed as the gutter, will now be in danger of being ignored. Along with the rising economic gap, the plight of the mass is secondary, in contrast to elite decisions.

Even if an elite suffers a cold, he/she will get hours of air time and news page. If one of the mass, notably farmers, rural dwellers and small scale rural businessman get airtime, it is only for a short time and confined to the sides. Their plight is not understood by the urban elite, and thus they face ignorance. This is not to mention that there are instances where media highlights the plight and brings about social awareness of an issue concerning the mass. But, they are very few and far in between.

Alternate media and any kind of media exist only to make a profit. The worst part of this mission statement is that they risk ignoring serious issues most of the times. The masses may need to utilize this platform cleverly, because any wrong step could result in their plight being dismissed as propaganda. The media is only one part, but there involves a very different communication process in dealing with the masses. This section represents a communication method that has to be revolutionized in this coming decades. Few have tried it, and they are effective.

The challenge will be for ordinary individuals to be aware and publicly debate the wrongs in society, without prejudice. It is essential that the platform for public speaking, yet at the same time, being inter-personal. The masses need to be organized on this channel, so that they can be organized, and can prepare the way for an egalitarian system which encompasses all their rights. The next post looks at that.