Media, be it print or electronic plays a very crucial role in everyone’s life. We get updated with news from every nook and corner of the world. Media can be said acts as the ‘morning cup of tea’ in our life, it educates us, creates a sense of awareness, keep us updated about the happenings in the society. All thanks to the MEDIA, especially “electronic media.”

There was a time when only one news channel used to give the reportings, but now time has changed, now a whole new range of NEWS CHANNELS have boomed up. We have huge number of news channels now. But do these channels always shows the right things? Or have they become so commercialized that they are exploiting the innocent people?

Now a days violence is being constantly depicted on news channels and this puts a negative impact on the youth, children and the society as a whole. Depiction of the truth, showing the real face of the society is not a crime, but constant depiction and without showing the vital things of the world is wrong. Research says that when people especially juvenile minds are subjected to violence scenes, they become aggressive and show signs of depression. Such (negative) things will change the scenario of our society. There would be violence all around and no tranquility. Intelligence will evaporate quicker than water; no one would be spared from the wave of the fire.

Children often see or hear the news many times a day through television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. Seeing and hearing about local and world events such as natural disasters, catastrophic events, and crime reports, may cause children to experience stress, anxiety, and fears. There has also been several changes in how news is reported that have given rise to the increased potential for children to experience negative effects. 

These changes include the following-

1)    Television channels and internet services and sites which report the news 24 hours a day.

2)    Television channels broadcasting live events as they are unfolding in ‘real time’.

3)    Increased reporting of the details of the private lives of public figures and role models.

4)    Pressure to get news to the public as part of the competitive nature of the entertainment industry.

For example taking a specific news program “SANSANI”, the investigation news bulletin that is aired on STAR NEWS everyday at 11pm.  It recreates the actual scene of crime vividly, wherever needed, to give the viewing audience a real taste of the crime scene. The show brings the viewers face to face with the reality of crime all over the country, keeping the society aware and on guard. 

The program carries out certain sting operations, exposes against corrupt  bureaucracy, police officials and many such negative happenings in the society. It though conducts a very good duty keeping the society upgraded and well informed, but at the same time it cannot be ignored that these portrayal of negative happenings create a very disastrous impact in the human psychology, specially in children. Shifting these crime programs from prime time to late night can be good solution to some extent, rather than being completely ignored, because these programs are meant for the well being of the society so it should never be ignored.

At the same time parents should remember that it is important to talk to their children about what they have seen or heard. This allows to lessen the negative effects of the news and to discuss their own ideas and values.

It should always be noted that the negative aspect of media can never be kept in the darker side for a long time, “taking some solutions out to get a measurable amount of positive impact can make the future of the society safe and bright.”

By-

Ria Das,

Pgpmc-Marcomm.