Please stop and reconsider

Dear Editor,

My seven-year-old son is at a crucial stage and we like to explain to him the importance of knowing about the world around us, and the need to keep up with the daily news. However, whenever we have wrested the TV remote from him to turn on the news in the evening(not even as late as the 9 o¿clock news), we have been confronted with graphic and disturbing reports on crime on most of the channels, much of it centred around children. If it isn¿t being discussed as the prime item, details are shown on the marquee, giving him plenty of reading practice. Usually, his attention can be diverted if the news is "boring", but with both visual and moving text, I have noticed that he is transfixed to the screen either way. Eventually, we have to revert, red-faced, to his kiddy channels, as they are "safer". The situation is the same in the daily newspapers, where I find that I have to just hand-pick specific stories or pictures that I would like him to look at, and not hand over the paper directly.

I am not for a moment suggesting that the public be fed over-sanitized versions of the news, or we project a fake image of what our world really is to the children, but definitely I would ask for some kind of self-scrutiny by the media to ensure that they reduce this sensory overload. Adults could eventually surf the Internet to get some news, but in households such as ours where we limit computer use, does that mean we deprive ourselves of simple pleasures like watching the news and discussing it as a family? This is equally applicable to newspapers, and it is strange that more national newspapers do not carry a children¿s supplement. Even if they do carry a supplement, it is usually a weekly and more feature-based with space for artwork etc. rather than NEWS.

Ultimately, it really is about grabbing eyeballs, and "kid-friendly" is a factor that could influence a parent¿s choice of newspaper and TV channel. Next month I will be switching to a newspaper that has a children¿s supplement (as opposed to one that has a school programme but no supplement). As for TV, we have no favourite news channel now, unlike in previous years where we really gathered around to watch some news programme like The World This Week.

I do wish some more thought could be spared for children – call them emerging readers/viewers, if you will. Here are my suggestions:

a. Print media: At least half a page (with normal font sizes please and not some ant-sized small print) could be devoted to a summary of the contents of the major stories in simple language and story outlines, with a few pictures to draw their attention. This could help even adult readers in a hurry to find topics of their interest.

b. TV channels: News from news channels could be compiled on a daily basis into a kid¿s news programme and this could be broadcast once or twice a day on their own channel or even on one of the numerous kid¿s cartoon channels. Even if the content has a time lag of one or two days, it should be ok. It would also increase family bonding to be able to watch at least one news programme which can make us think without being drained out and depressed at the end of it. If this is already being done, it would be nice to know the timing of such a programme.

We are also fortunate to live in times where some exciting things are happening in broadcasting technology. If this factor can be fused with some real heartfelt, non-competitive, honest, matter-of-fact, children-specific reporting without moralistic overtones, strident activism or smart alecky cuteness, it might do wonders. If we want to make our children think for themselves, we have to go back to the basics, and perhaps a simple daily news bulletin specifically for young viewers could be an interesting way of spending their time besides watching cartoons and such like. Is it possible to think of such a programme being produced and broadcast under an existing scheme for children¿s welfare and education, maybe across channels?

Namitha Dipak

Delhi

A Citizen¿s Plea To Indian Media

A demonic dark shrouds the night but for the haunting faint gleam of a jinxed moon. In a desolate nook amid burnt pyres, a band of freaky ¿aghoris¿, cannibal men, chant spooky spells- using tantra to invoke the dead. Fog, howling hyenas, thunder.. human skulls, splinters and voila! A Ramsay masterpiece running for the awards! Alas. we are only talking news! From reel to real in no time! Welcome to the new media, driven not by responsible conduct but only TRP ratings; not society watchdogs but sleaze hungry hounds terrorizing our minds. In our country teeming with an uneducated, superstitious multitude, TV channels become virtually  omnipotent and have an even more sensitive role to play in  emancipation of the masses

Sensationalization and third- grade dramatization of the kind plaguing most Indian news channels today are abysmal. It is the double-edged sword that re-enforces irrational backward thinking while simultaneously instilling a crippling sense of fear as we go about our every day lives. Press is the fourth estate.. for education and liberation.. it¿s about reporting authenticated acts of pubic importance as objectively as possible. It would do us great good to have social awareness programs enlightening the public on prevalent  dangers and  safety tips. Having hours of airtime playing upon homicide, vindictive ¿icchadhari¿ snakes, sleazy reconstruction of rape and amorous misadventures, put Indian journalism in shame.

This time should rather be scheduled for career and heath features and  public interest programs on appalling evils like female foeticide, AIDS stigma, abuse of street children, dowry deaths et al. Cashing in on violence and  glorifying crime are the most deplorable levels that any media organization can stoop to. When will the self-regulatory media bodies arise from their sweet slumber? Also it is time we as informed citizens stop feasting on  the murky and gory and redeem ourselves. We must endeavor to edify ourselves and the less privileged ones. This is a fervent exhortation to all media organizations to stop donning the Ramsay  Hat. Move on- from reel to real!!

Anupma Khanna

Dehra Dun