The ‘Liberal’ Media’s Revival
By: Amit Bhushan Date: 19th July 2017
With the debate about ‘soft power’ and Western dominance of the same, the ‘Liberal’ media (mainly in Europe) is trying to revive hey days of yore. This is most likely to be followed with poking fun and criticism of the governing systems elsewhere including ‘lack of balance’ in regions where there may be some ‘tinge of democracy’. While much the ‘fun and criticism’ may be undoubtedly fair, this only depicts the picture partially at best. The focus is generally on comparisons with the ‘standards’ rather than improvement in empowerment level of the people from the past. And of course certain things are almost never focused upon in such studies like Medical or Engineering Education in India or most of Asia is still conducted in English or other Western languages. Erratic functioning of the judicial systems and low trust as well as poor outcome of the investigative machinery is seldom commented upon or followed unless of course when there is some ‘push’ to do so and this drive is generally lacking. The local media’s inability to ‘act liberal’ vis-à-vis their ruling classes or for that matter making other ‘liberal commentary’ as highlighted in this article or to poke similar ‘fun and criticism’ (on neighbors or other regions), makes them a tad boring and less followed by.
Of course it doesn’t help matters when the media in much of Asia is busy defending its conduct to its audience. But basically, there seems to be a clear need may for the media in India or elsewhere to make a study about the current level of economic, political and socio-cultural empowerment in various regions vis-à-vis their past and how do these fair vis-à-vis the ‘standards’. The understanding about the history, culture, languages and political systems as well as prevalent con/s in the regions should allow media professionals to make such a study or evolve some sort of index ranking to serve as a barometer. Of course such a study would need to gain its acceptability amongst larger audience both within the country as well as in other areas. How do they gain such acceptability would depend upon ability to paint a fair picture which acceptable to the wide array of audience. Success of such a project would also ensure that the media would not be struggling to make a point say vis-à-vis Social media and others. That would require a lot of collaboration as well as building up strength to criticize the local netas without bias in a fair manner.
While such a move may ring some political bells, however what would perhaps need to be seen is that if some bells ring when the so called index of ‘soft power’ ignores socio-cultural parameter for much of Asia in their ratings. Now if there is a need to better parameters or for some other medias in some other geographies to rise up is yet to be seen. Let’s see the ‘Game’ evolve...
By: Amit Bhushan Date: 19th July 2017
With the debate about ‘soft power’ and Western dominance of the same, the ‘Liberal’ media (mainly in Europe) is trying to revive hey days of yore. This is most likely to be followed with poking fun and criticism of the governing systems elsewhere including ‘lack of balance’ in regions where there may be some ‘tinge of democracy’. While much the ‘fun and criticism’ may be undoubtedly fair, this only depicts the picture partially at best. The focus is generally on comparisons with the ‘standards’ rather than improvement in empowerment level of the people from the past. And of course certain things are almost never focused upon in such studies like Medical or Engineering Education in India or most of Asia is still conducted in English or other Western languages. Erratic functioning of the judicial systems and low trust as well as poor outcome of the investigative machinery is seldom commented upon or followed unless of course when there is some ‘push’ to do so and this drive is generally lacking. The local media’s inability to ‘act liberal’ vis-à-vis their ruling classes or for that matter making other ‘liberal commentary’ as highlighted in this article or to poke similar ‘fun and criticism’ (on neighbors or other regions), makes them a tad boring and less followed by.
Of course it doesn’t help matters when the media in much of Asia is busy defending its conduct to its audience. But basically, there seems to be a clear need may for the media in India or elsewhere to make a study about the current level of economic, political and socio-cultural empowerment in various regions vis-à-vis their past and how do these fair vis-à-vis the ‘standards’. The understanding about the history, culture, languages and political systems as well as prevalent con/s in the regions should allow media professionals to make such a study or evolve some sort of index ranking to serve as a barometer. Of course such a study would need to gain its acceptability amongst larger audience both within the country as well as in other areas. How do they gain such acceptability would depend upon ability to paint a fair picture which acceptable to the wide array of audience. Success of such a project would also ensure that the media would not be struggling to make a point say vis-à-vis Social media and others. That would require a lot of collaboration as well as building up strength to criticize the local netas without bias in a fair manner.
While such a move may ring some political bells, however what would perhaps need to be seen is that if some bells ring when the so called index of ‘soft power’ ignores socio-cultural parameter for much of Asia in their ratings. Now if there is a need to better parameters or for some other medias in some other geographies to rise up is yet to be seen. Let’s see the ‘Game’ evolve...