Neta, Abhineta,
Public and Media: Salman Khan
Bahrain, April 14, 2006
Dr. P. L. Joshi
In India, media is a very powerful medium, especially the Satellite
Television Channels. It is one of the most important factors that
play a significant role in shaping public opinions, beliefs and
disseminating correct information and knowledge with a huge responsibility
on its shoulders. It has far reaching affects on societies, businesses,
and governments.
We
feel very pity and anguished to read news in press and TVs giving
emotionalized big coverage on the release of Salman Khan on
bail from Jodhpur jail where he was sentenced to five years' rigorous
imprisonment by a local court in connection with black buck poaching
case.
News item : 'Grand Welcome to Salman in Mumbai". Did Salman
come from " Haj Yatra" or "Badrinath Yatra'' or "Chardham
Yatra" that
purified his soul and Indian public wanted to touch him and also
get purified their souls. He is a Bollywood star who has been senteneced
to prison for a crime committed by him and was proved in the court.
Law is above to anyone in a democratic country. All
celebrities have their fan following. Does it mean that let a celebrity
spend a couple of days in jail and he will become a true "hero"
and role model for them. His movies will
become hits. Salman Khan is also an accused in other case of 'Hit
and Run' road accident while driving fast in a suburban. This man
always remained in controversies for various reasons e.g. for affairs,
arrogent behavior in big places etc. Ironically, Indian media talks,
writes a lot about criminal world and make them "heroes",
examples are Dawood Ebrahim, Abu Salim.
It seems that media has same standard for news coverage for corrupt
Netas and jailed Abhineta. Go jail, and public will garland them
when released. What will be the impact on our growing new generation
of all this? Do we have rationale thinking about this? Public will
do what is shown to them. Don't you think media needs ethical education?
There was a time when the Father of Nation "Mahatama Gandhi"
used to go to jail for a noble cause for freedom struggle for this
great country and million of Indian people used to support, follow
and garlanded him and today the Indian public welcomes and garlands
corrupt Netas, criminals and jailed Bollywood Abhinetas like Salman
Khan. Where are we moving to ...... is there any answer?
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