MEDIA BLIGHT LEADERS

By Nav Raj Pokharel


After watching the political leaders on televisions almost every hour and reading the reports in newspapers on what they say and do almost every day, I was compelled to infer that they are not what they try to make the public think what they really are.
You might have the same inkling, if you have been updating information about their activities on an everyday basis.

If you turn on television or the radio or browse newspapers to update yourselves, you will find that they are dragged immensely into news and views for no good reason.

If you watch them further, or read what they say on any issues, you will be surprised to learn that they have answers to every problem.

They even do not hesitate to tell you that their perception of the problem is unique and no one but they can resolve the problem, whether the problem is standoff in parliament, or the day-to-day problem of ordinary people. They are prompt to advise the audience and steps required to address the problem.

You will also hear them say how important and relevant the teaching of Buddha is even today, if they are at the function organized to mark some occasion of Lord Buddha.

They give you free advice on how unity among the different political parties, despite their diverse political ideologies, can coexist in harmony and change the face of the country in a short time, if they are addressing a political gathering, or academic symposium or anything for that matter.

It seems that the country is very fortunate to have such adroit, intelligent and compassionate leaders in a large number.

It has been decades we have been hearing them say so. However, the country has not budged an inch towards progress and development as they professed.

Not only the time-tested dictum, but also the scientific theory has it that every action has its opposite reaction. If the country is not gaining the momentum towards the progress and prosperity as expected, does it not mean that the input from our adroit, intelligent wise and prudent leaders is not right?

Alternatively, does it mean that whatever our adept leaders had been saying to us for years were just lies and nothing else?

Hounded by these realities, I feel irritated to listen to the leaders on television or the radio and newspapers reporting on self-valued statements on a range of issues.

Many ordinary people who expect to see their leaders working hard the whole day , discussing the country's future plans with their subordinates at their offices, are disillusioned to find the high esteemed leaders at every common place attending ceremonies of worshipping Sai Baba, felicitating employees for their paid services, and other interaction programs, instead.

I recollect the piece of information one of my friends, who works for a newspaper, once gave me.

He was giving me tips that journalism was one of the most important and challenging sectors to work. The sector helps in educating people and raising people's level of awareness by disseminating information. I have not had an opportunity to meet him for quite some time now. If I come across him again, I will not forget to ask him to assess the contributions media sector has made to educate and raise the level of awareness among the common people, so far.

Although, I do not know much about the functions of the fourth estate, I construe that media has spoiled the leaders making them unpopular and detested by common people by dragging them into the news the mass has no interest at all.

Although it is important by now, no one has surveyed yet if the people who pay for the papers for information, or spare time to watch television or listen to the radio for news, eventually, feel cheated to find that a larger portion of time and space are being wasted covering "what the leaders do and say today".

Many a time the information the media collect and process, and finally disseminate is of trivial value for the common public. Audiences forget the news the moment they fold the newspapers because the information carried by the media leaves no impact on them.

Doesn't this mean that the principles of journalism the media houses have been guided by so far are obsolete now? If yes, is it not high time now that media need to come up with the policy to serve the public? If not, are the public feeling contented with the media?

I think they are not. Are you?