Civic Bodies, Procedures & the Media

Civic Bodies, Procedures & the Media

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 6th April 2017

The elections for corporators in the Capital’s civic bodies seem to have taken curious turns at least for the media, if not for the people. Why is this said is because the commercial news media seem to be focused about various procedures and rules being followed or not. Even illiterate rehri/patri-wallas can understand the bizarre witch-hunt to ‘fix’ the responsibilities. Nearly every ‘independent’ news channel has in some way or the other raised the ‘issue’ but curiously only at the ‘state’ level. Whatever happens to the rules and procedures at the ‘Local bodies level’ is ‘no one’s concern’ in our ‘independent’ news media. This is not to say that ‘holier than thou’ claims should not be examined, or a constitutional position be ignored or belittled; however the ‘independent’ media giving a miss to similar transgressions in the concerned authority/ies where elections are due, is being questioned.

If confronted with the fact, one would find journos running for cover. Not only would they lack information about the ‘rules and procedures’ but also would be just enumerating those handful of areas/instances where such procedures were indeed followed, for reasons known and understood by ‘all’. To its discredit, the ‘Common People’s Party’ has almost failed to bring this point to fore which should have been done perhaps long back. For starters, if had lacked any investigative machinery then it should have worked perhaps much harder with the Judiciary by referring ‘cases’ to them, instead of just trying to work around in a tumultuous bureaucracy with shifting allegiance. I am sure to this the any constitutional body would not have raised fingers in the current political context.

Among some of the other failures has been just too many fragments and sub-groups often not pulling in a uniform direction. This is then played out to highlight that Netadom is perhaps not suited to non-political families, and only ‘they’ can perhaps strike the right chords (implied as creation of the right ‘dependencies’ and ‘be equipped with ‘right information’) to maintain a following of ‘workers’ some of whom may have winning potential. The other has been losing sight of the big picture and focused perhaps too much on handicaps and moves of the political opponent. Had this not been case, the party might have found a far bigger opportunity to have a 'rules and procedures' driven local body rather than abolishing of municipal taxes. It is perhaps time to go back to vision rather than political tactics.

The other aspect which is strangely not being questioned in mefia is ‘results’, which may have its impact. The party in power somehow has come to conclusions that by announcing change of Netas enmasse, absolves them of responsibilities to declare what has been achieved by their ‘term’ in power. The commercial news media remains hand in glove even though the Journos would reluctantly admit that this is not in keeping with the mood of the electorate, however would still not mind having ‘back hand dealings’ to keep such ‘talks’ at a low ebb while at the same time maintaining an 'air of independence'. Let’s see the ‘Game’ evolve further…

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Civic bodies, procedures, and the media play integral roles in the functioning of a democratic society, each contributing to the governance, accountability, and dissemination of information. Civic bodies, such as local governments, municipal corporations, and community organizations, are responsible for the administration and management of public services and infrastructure. These entities work to ensure that the needs of the community are met, from maintaining roads and public spaces to managing waste disposal and ensuring public safety. Procedures within these civic bodies are designed to promote transparency, efficiency, and fairness, often involving public consultations, regulatory frameworks, and bureaucratic processes that aim to balance the interests of various stakeholders.

The media, on the other hand, serves as a crucial link between these civic bodies and the public. Through newspapers, television, radio, and digital platforms, the media reports on the activities, decisions, and policies of civic bodies, providing citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions and hold their leaders accountable. Journalists and media organizations play a vital role in uncovering and reporting on issues of public concern, from corruption and inefficiency to success stories and innovative solutions. This watchdog function of the media is essential for maintaining the integrity of civic institutions and ensuring that they operate in the best interests of the community.

Moreover, the relationship between civic bodies, procedures, and the media is dynamic and interdependent. Civic bodies often use the media to communicate their initiatives and achievements, while the media can influence public opinion and policy by highlighting certain issues and perspectives. This interaction can lead to greater public engagement and participation in civic processes, which is fundamental to the health of any democracy. However, it is also important to recognize the challenges that can arise, such as the potential for misinformation or bias in media reporting, and the need for civic bodies to be responsive and transparent in their dealings with the press. Balancing these aspects is crucial for fostering a well-informed and active citizenry.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Civic Bodies, Procedures & the Media

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 6th April 2017

The elections for corporators in the Capital’s civic bodies seem to have taken curious turns at least for the media, if not for the people. Why is this said is because the commercial news media seem to be focused about various procedures and rules being followed or not. Even illiterate rehri/patri-wallas can understand the bizarre witch-hunt to ‘fix’ the responsibilities. Nearly every ‘independent’ news channel has in some way or the other raised the ‘issue’ but curiously only at the ‘state’ level. Whatever happens to the rules and procedures at the ‘Local bodies level’ is ‘no one’s concern’ in our ‘independent’ news media. This is not to say that ‘holier than thou’ claims should not be examined, or a constitutional position be ignored or belittled; however the ‘independent’ media giving a miss to similar transgressions in the concerned authority/ies where elections are due, is being questioned.

If confronted with the fact, one would find journos running for cover. Not only would they lack information about the ‘rules and procedures’ but also would be just enumerating those handful of areas/instances where such procedures were indeed followed, for reasons known and understood by ‘all’. To its discredit, the ‘Common People’s Party’ has almost failed to bring this point to fore which should have been done perhaps long back. For starters, if had lacked any investigative machinery then it should have worked perhaps much harder with the Judiciary by referring ‘cases’ to them, instead of just trying to work around in a tumultuous bureaucracy with shifting allegiance. I am sure to this the any constitutional body would not have raised fingers in the current political context.

Among some of the other failures has been just too many fragments and sub-groups often not pulling in a uniform direction. This is then played out to highlight that Netadom is perhaps not suited to non-political families, and only ‘they’ can perhaps strike the right chords (implied as creation of the right ‘dependencies’ and ‘be equipped with ‘right information’) to maintain a following of ‘workers’ some of whom may have winning potential. The other has been losing sight of the big picture and focused perhaps too much on handicaps and moves of the political opponent. Had this not been case, the party might have found a far bigger opportunity to have a 'rules and procedures' driven local body rather than abolishing of municipal taxes. It is perhaps time to go back to vision rather than political tactics.

The other aspect which is strangely not being questioned in mefia is ‘results’, which may have its impact. The party in power somehow has come to conclusions that by announcing change of Netas enmasse, absolves them of responsibilities to declare what has been achieved by their ‘term’ in power. The commercial news media remains hand in glove even though the Journos would reluctantly admit that this is not in keeping with the mood of the electorate, however would still not mind having ‘back hand dealings’ to keep such ‘talks’ at a low ebb while at the same time maintaining an 'air of independence'. Let’s see the ‘Game’ evolve further…

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