Anoop Varghese Kuriappuram
Kerala’s main stream media showed its real face to the public
when it blacked out news on Radia tapes in the infamous 2G scam. Media, both print and visual, were totally silent for 2 days as if nothing
had happened. Only after web enabled media as well
as social media made this news a breaking one did conventional media was
even report the 2G scam in Kerala. It is worth mentioning that it
was the media owned by left groups which did a lead telecast on this issue. It
was clear that the capitalist interests that
fund and pay channels by means of advertisement blocked
this news. Media, perceived by many as a fourth estate, is failing to
discharge its duty under clutches of capitalist interest.
There was a clear consensus among talk show hosts
to avoid usage of terms having Marxian connotations such as
“crony capitalism”, “state funding of private interests”,
“appropriation of natural assets” etc. 2G Scam was showcased
as a mere corruption issue emanating from personal greed of some rather than as a
structural issue of capitalism which breeds corruption as its own
fodder for growth. Historically, 2G scam has a pertinent role in shaping
the 'India Against Corruption' movement and in
the forming of Aam Aadmi Party, which is projected as the sole saviour of India. Problems of capitalism was successfully misinterpreted as problems
of democratic governance by media manipulation.
Times are similar now as there is a release of an
explosive book – “Holy Hell” by an ex-disciple of famous God woman of Kerala, Amrithanandamayi. The allegations and experiences in the book are
of a very serious nature; right wing parties are brushing
aside allegations as part of bigger conspiracy. As an exception, leftist politicians have demanded probe regarding the same. Conglomerate of Amrithanandamayi mutt has always escaped scanner of law enforcers under
garb of divinity. The asset size of the same may
be that of a Ratna company. There are larger political patrons and
industrial captains involved in protecting interests of it as well. It
must be noted that their institutions are run as capitalist engines as was made clear during the nursing staff strike in Amrita
medical college hospital. The revenues are not taxed nor are they audited as they
are run as a charitable trust.
But interesting is the silence of mainstream media in this issue. For a few days the issue was blacked out in mainstream media and when it
became a raging topic in alternate media, the reporting started.
Reporting was careful enough not to even place a
passage of the book in public domain. The reporting was confined to the
reporting of reactions of many people on the issue. Larger public are
kept on dark on the real allegations and the news soon snowballed into
smoke screen debate.
There is a deliberate silence on
the crackdown of people who commented against the Godwoman in social media from people who
otherwise projects themself as apostles of free speech.
People of Kerala should see this behaviour with open
eyes and use this opportunity to tear the mask of mainstream media
which projects itself as independent and truthful. It can be concluded
that mainstream media in Kerala, as everywhere,
is a capitalist enterprise which successfully represents interests of
owners, investors, sponsors and big media executives. There is no
element of public conscience in this business.
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