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Friday, May 18, 2012

Bluff Times

Like the 'cabaret dance' of yesteryear movies is now called 'item number', news stories that were once termed 'scoop' in mainstream media are now called 'breaking news'. Not only the terms but the 'intent' behind the terms has gone through dramatic transformation too. Given the fact that majority of important news is either 'planted' or 'paid', it is left to the discerning reader to separate 'breaking' from 'broken' news.

Recent revelation by The Hindu has taken the lid off from the business of news making. Not only was the success of BT cotton reported by The Times of India in 2008 indeed 'planted' by Mahyco-Monsanto, the company promoting the genetically-modified seeds, but the same news was republished verbatim in 2011 to create policy impact by misleading the readers. The transition from 'paid news' to 'bluff news' has been rapid!

Celebrity Overdose

It is tough to imagine which way democratic governance may be headed. Celebrities are being engaged by elected governments to not only promote social programs but are being cajoled to help transform communal habits too. While controversial Chief Minister Narendra Modi hired Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan to promote Gujarat as a tourist destination, media friendly Union Minister Jairam Ramesh has persuaded sultry siren Vidya Balan to help push toilets in rural areas. Taking cue, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has passed on the responsibility of checking female foeticide to none other than actor Aamir Khan.

On all accounts, the respective ministers reflect political desperation borne out of policy paralysis. While Modi and Gehlot need an image makeover, Ramesh needs Toilet to lift himself higher on the political pedestal. Knowing well that Indians love to dream, politicians are increasingly using celebrities to help them continue 'dreaming' even if none of the dreams could ever get fulfilled. Passing the baton to the 'celebrity', at a phenomenal cost to the exchequer, absolves the politician of any failure of the campaign thereof. Shockingly, more and more politicians are queuing up before celebrities to rid them of their electoral responsibilities.