Media is a very powerful and an influential tool that shapes the human life and through him, the world. Today’s media include newspapers, magazines, televisions, movies and internet and we believe they inform, educate and entertain us. But what is the true purpose of the media?
We believe that the newspapers and the news programmes inform us about the daily events that occur all around us. But are they broadcasting what we need to know? Or are they broadcasting what they want us to talk about every day?
Why do the news and the newspapers focus on government’s activities and its’ welfare programs? Are they truly broadcasting to inform us about how the government functions? Or are they broadcasting just to make us believe that the government is functioning for the welfare of people?
Is there any media or media show that discusses the root causes of people’s problems? Does any of the media address the core societal issues? Or does it constantly identify people who are the victims of the social problems and those who falls prey to their circumstances and commit crimes?
The media that updates us instantaneously about the crimes and offences, does not ask why the same crimes continue to occur, why crimes continue to increase, what are the root causes for these crimes, what are the solutions, how do we prevent them and how can these be brought to the people’s attention. Has the media ever spent a day debating these issues?
Are so many news broadcasts about crime and violence simply intended to portray that the world is evil and the people are bad, and to implant fear in our minds, and to convince us that a government is necessary to protect us in such a world?
Aren’t these hidden agendas the primary purpose of the news broadcast? Aren’t these news reports actually designed to cover up the country’s reality, to sensationalize needless news and to drive pointless discussions into our heads so that we burn our time and energy it believing it to be true?
Why most of the television shows are structured as competitions? Aren’t they planned as competitions to cultivate a competitive mentality in our minds and to get us into the habit of comparing our accomplishments and failures to those of others? Don’t they, without our knowledge, sell us the ideas of competing, comparing, winning, and achieving?
Irrespective of the games and sports we’re interested in, don’t all sports broadcasts cultivate the same thoughts in us? When will we understand that it is these media programmes that keep us rushing after prizes and after success?
Aren’t the majority of television shows and programs cultivating the feelings and emotions of desire, fear, jealousy, falsehoods, conspiracy and competition?
Aren’t the shows that are marketed as being thought-provoking and eye-opening simply debating social issues? Instead of discussing the causes of these problems, don’t they all largely argue about their consequences?
Why are all video games intended to involve racing, shooting and killing, winning and running again? Aren’t they cleverly designed to cultivate in us the thoughts of winning-losing, competition and violence?
Movies entertain us, but are they made with the primary motive of entertaining us? Or do they, without the knowledge of the film makers, make us to forget about our basic issues and difficulties? Don’t the movies divert our attention for a while so that, we may battle the same troubles with the excitement of the movies?
Isn’t the majority of film and television comedy about making fun of our fellow humans and hurting us mentally? Aren’t movie songs making us accustomed to our problems and adapt us to survive a painful life?
These questions are not intended to criticize any specific shows, programmes, movies, or individuals, directors, or businesses. We are all byproducts of the system that we are born into. There are plenty brilliant filmmakers and films with excellent ideas. But aren’t they all kept out of the spotlight because of the so-called nature of the media business?
Don’t all media companies have business requirements and sales targets in mind when operating? Isn’t business the primary goal of every media creation? Isn’t it true that commercials are the primary source of revenue for all media programmes?
If this is the case, then isn’t the media acting as a tool to mould our minds and shape our thoughts in accordance with what the business corporations and political parties want us to think, believe, live like, buy, and desire to?
To continually ask such thought provoking questions and to engage in constructive conversations, stay connected with Vattam.
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