Letter to the Ministry of I&B regarding sensationalized reporting on neighbouring nations.

To,

The Secretary,

Ministry of I&B

Government of India

New Delhi

Subject: Regarding sensationalized reporting by Press on neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.

Sir,

I am Aditya Thakur, a resident of 5/426 Viram Khand, Gomtinagar, Lucknow. I am a student of Class XII in Police Modern School. Apart from studies at school, I have also got interest in social activities and have been involved in social activism too. As a citizen and an activist, I find that media is really important in bringing the facts out in today’s world but when the media itself begins to spew venom and conjure lies, results can be devastating.

Through this letter, I seek to bring a very disheartening fact regarding the attitude of electronic media towards neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, to your notice. In recent times, various TV media channels have been acting as a catalyst in the process of spreading hate towards foreign countries. The latest example of this was a news report broadcasted by a TV channel ‘India News’. The news report was regarding the polio epidemic in Pakistan and was titled, ‘Langda Pakistan’ or ‘Lame Pakistan’. While the issue raised was serious, the whole report was full of stereotypes, denigrations and sensationalized news. The report consistently addressed Pakistan as, ‘duniya ko tabaah karne ke sapne dekhne waala’, which can be translated into, ‘The Pakistan which dreams of destroying the whole world into shambles.’ Various other dialogues such as, ‘bomb ka kya karoge Pakistan, khaoge?’ (Translating into: ‘What would you do of bombs, would you eat it?’), and ‘do boond se mat daro, Pakistan’ (Don’t be afraid of Polio drops), were also used. The manner in which all these dialogues were spoken was insulting and objectionable. The report also used a jingoistic spirit to address the problem. Not only this report, but various earlier media reports have been showing Pakistan not only in a negative light, but have been denigrating the neighbouring country and a large section of media has been hurling abuses at the country.

Although, criticism is a quintessential part of journalism, many of today’s TV news channels have adopted a habit of biased and often baseless criticism. When it comes to international matters a much more sensationalized criticism is followed. While true journalism needs to adopt a spirit of criticism and enquiry, irresponsible criticism shall not be tolerated.

The relations between India and Pakistan have already been very strained. But still both the countries are striving towards peace and harmony in the subcontinent. In such times when two countries are trying to forgive and forget the mistakes of past, efforts to fuel hatred towards either of the two countries can result into serious outcomes. If the media also gives air to these attempts by making the aforesaid statements, the result would be devastating for the future of the whole Indian subcontinent. If such a thing happens, all the labors of the Indian and Pakistani Governments to establish peace can fade away. Thus the news reports seeking to denigrate entire nations shall be seen as irresponsible journalism.

It is very important to analyze the situation carefully and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should dissuade any such attempts to promote hatred among countries. Although rational and academic criticism shall be endorsed, all attempts of sensationalizing news regarding any foreign nation particularly India’s immediate neighbours shall be brought to an end.

Thus, by the means of this letter, it shall be my suggestion as well as my request to you to take this issue in your cognizance and to take suitable action needed to stop the circulation of sensationalized reports that wish to disturb international peace. I hope that you will understand the gravity of the situation and to the needful action required.

Aditya Thakur