If the Government starts taking strict action against fake news and those who deliberately spread it, half the problem will disappear on its own...
Only if...
There is a lot of chatter about sections of the media in the aftermath of the recent protest at Jantar Mantar. It has become almost fashionable to dismiss any journalist or media house one disagrees with as “godi media.” What happened to some journalists at the protest was unacceptable. A few were targeted, and women journalists, in particular, were subjected to vile sexual abuse. There can be no justification for that.
At the same time, it is equally evident that another section of the media was treated as part of the spectacle rather than as independent observers. They appeared to enjoy the confidence of the protesters while others were branded and abused. If one set is labelled “godi” for allegedly being close to those in power, what label applies to those perceived to be aligned with the organisers or a political ecosystem?
This selective outrage is hardly new. Long before 2014, there was an influential circle of journalists widely seen as enjoying extraordinary access to the Congress leadership. Over the years, the names and platforms may have changed, but the ecosystem, incentives and alignments have remained familiar. Some moved from television to YouTube, others reinvented themselves as independent voices, but the underlying partisanship often remained intact.
Perhaps it is time to stop reducing every journalist to a political label simply because they hold a different worldview. If media independence is the standard, it should apply consistently to everyone, not just those one happens to disagree with.
Incidentally, someone sent me the picture below. What do you think is the common thread between the people in it? And who else do you think belongs in the frame, or doesn’t?
Kargil Vijay Diwas is a reminiscence of undaunted bravery & courage of the #Bravehearts who inscribed a golden chapter in history, with their blood & sacrifice. They gave a befitting reply to the enemy's misadventure and a resounding victory for the Indian Army.
#KargilVijayDiwas
#OperationVijay
Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education.
I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.
ಇಂದು ಭಾರತ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಚಿವನಾಗಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ವಹಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆನು.
ನನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಅಪಾರ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯಿಟ್ಟು ಈ ಗುರುತರ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀ @narendramodi ಅವರಿಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಹೃದಯಪೂರ್ವಕ ಕೃತಜ್ಞತೆಗಳು. ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವಿನಮ್ರತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿಷ್ಠೆಯಿಂದ ಈ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
In Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Dalit children were made to wear Islamic caps, and Muslim teachers pressured them to learn Namaz.
In a village with an 80% Muslim population, Dalit Hindus fear speaking out.
How was a religious agenda being run in a government-funded school? Watch @Keshavmalan93's ground report.
📵ಚಾಲನೆ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಬಳಕೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಗಮನ, ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣವನ್ನು ಕಸಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತದೆ. One glance at your phone can change a life forever. No call. No message. No notification is worth a crash.
#WestBengal
A youth named Soumik Chatterjee posted a photo on Facebook. He was seen lighting a cigarette from a burning photo of PM Narendra Modi.
As the post went viral, a complaint was filed. The Police arrested Soumik Chatterjee.
♻️ Another Garbage Black Spot Permanently Eliminated! | Bengaluru west city corporation
📍 Location: Amarjyothi Nagar Bus Stop
📌 Ward No. 125 – Marenahalli, Govindarajnagar Constituency
A garbage black spot that had persisted for nearly two years, with waste spread across nearly 100 metres, has now been permanently eliminated through the coordinated efforts of BSWML, the Engineering Department, and BESCOM.
✅ Accumulated garbage and debris cleared
✅ Footpath restored and made pedestrian-friendly
✅ Wall paintings completed to beautify the area
✅ New streetlights installed
✅ CCTV cameras installed to prevent fresh dumping
✅ Door-to-door waste collection and source segregation strengthened, with a special focus on wet waste and Low Value Plastic (LVP) collection
The area is now clean, safe, obstruction-free, and accessible for pedestrians, marking another step towards a cleaner and healthier Bengaluru.
#BSWML #CleanBengaluru #westcitycorporation #GreaterBengaluruAuthority #GarbageFreeBengaluru #UB100 #SwachhBharat #BrandBengaluru #Govindarajnagar #Marenahalli #WasteManagement #SourceSegregation