if I think that our media - TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs (like this one) - are becoming increasingly frivolous, and exhibiting a lamentable lack of what is called 'social responsibility'. Instead of reporting and commenting on serious issues - such as, say, farmers' suicides, gender discrimination, man-made climate change which threatens to wreak environmental havoc on the entire planet - the media focus more and more on what are referred to as Page 3 events and personalities:
So, are the media, by and large, guilty as charged? Are they indeed shortchanging serious issues and social responsibility in favour of Page 3 frippery and frivolity?
And my answer to that question is that - for the sake of democracy and a free society - I sincerely hope that they are. Because in a democracy and in a free society (the two aren't necessarily one and the same - ancient Athens was a democracy but not a free society, in that it condoned slavery) the media must represent and reflect the wishes and aspirations of the consuming public, the readers and the viewers who subscribe to and support the media.
In authoritarian or totalitarian societies - such as Malaysia China or Myanmar - media content is determined not by what the general public wants but by what the authorities feel that the general public should be force-fed. In short, in non-democratic societies, the media are conduits for official propaganda.
In free market democracies, on the other hand, which India is finally emerging as, the non-governmental media have to respond to consumer preference or perish. What this boils down to is that while government-funded Doordarshan and Akashvani can afford to churn out sarkari-sponsored propaganda, the private sector media - like all the other TV and radio channels, newspapers, magazines and blogs - have to compete with each other to satisfy the demands of consumers, to give consumers - the viewers and readers - what they want.
If any part of the media - a particular TV channel, newspaper, magazine or blog - fails to do this, fails to give consumers what they want, inexorable market forces will ensure the failure and eventual closure of that particular TV channel, newspaper or blog. Viewers and readers will simply switch to a competing TV channel, newspaper or blog which gives them what they want.
In a democracy, people get the government they deserve. Similarly, in free market media - as opposed to government-controlled propagandist media - consumers get the media they want.
So, is Indian media becoming all froth and no social responsibility? Yes, it probably is. And the reason for this is not far to seek. Look in the mirror and you'll see it.
The reason is you.
Ahiruddin Attan, owner of Rocky’s Bru blog, appointed asEditor -in-Chief of Malay Mail in June 2009,andformer President of the National Press Club until 2007, as well asformer President of the National Bloggers Alliance, put up a spin on Zakhir Mohamed’s allegations in his Rocky’s Bru blog:
“…there’s now talk about his opponent from PAS and a missing RM600,000 in election funds.The postCalon Pas N11 gelapkan RM60,000?belongs to pro-Umno blogger Zakhir Mohamad but the accusations against Mohd Salleh Man were made by his seniors in PAS, or so we’re made to believe…”
GOOD BUDDIES-
THEY REINFORCE EACH OTHER, DON’T THEY? 
THE RISE OF THE PRO-MAHATHIR CAMP IN UMNO
In the Mainstream Media (NST Group)
after the Forced Resignation of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi
In the Mainstream Media (NST Group)
after the Forced Resignation of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi
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