The national broadcaster’s tv channel reports every major disaster anywhere in the world, every day. Each report is at length. Being exposed to unrelenting negativity is soul-destroying.
Some of the news, especially relating to governments, can carry scorpion-tail endings. Why? Hint! Hint! Things can go wrong.
Then, prominent journalists can attack anyone who upsets the owner or management. Although journalists and commentators have a right to express a view, why descend to intemperate language and personal attack? Apparently, fog-horn equipped ‘shock jocks’ make a good living feeding the ignorant in this manner. One can wonder – does this kind of behaviour merely reflect inherited foundational attitudes and values of the nation?
Further, when a government seeks, in the interests of budgetary balance and equitable treatment, to reduce some of the monetary cream granted to excess by a previous government – in order to fatten the middle class (known as middle class welfare) – the screams uttered in public by segments of the media are much louder and more emotive than the screams emanating from those whingeing about their ‘loss.’ An implication of loss of entitlement is ever present. Yet more negativity in reporting.
What has happened to responsible reporting and commentary? Isn’t a perpetual flow of negativity through the media – even if this institution is not much respected – psychologically debilitating in its impact on the community?
Australian voters have lost their trust in their political system – with good cause. Without an objective and fair media, how are we to identify religio-cultural bias, and the ‘alternative facts’ and other propaganda, which are inflicted upon us?
RAJA ARASA RATNAM 