The website Countercurrents carries an article about the increasing military tension between India and Pakistan
“The so-called claims, counterclaims and ‘independent’ global media coverage have made it complex and confusing for the ordinary citizens, considering both the big picture and the specific event.” It explains that “Indian media, like the nation – its people and its governments – at the federal level and at the state levels, are not monolithic. It is wrong not to expect so, considering India’s huge size as the world largest democracy, and its inherent diversity. But there are certain broad trends. Some of these trends have been there for long, some new and emerging – as usually observed for any large nation in its macro—trend analysis. And some of these, if true based on the early indicators, can be alarming, as a dangerous cocktail, when a largely unethical media turns blindly nationalist.”
“The same nationalistic media, more so the TV news ones, often in the recent past, in general, got dubbed; and its celebrity-like news-anchors trolled for being ‘paid media’… none in the Indian news-media industry can deny the intensity and the prevalence of unethical media. When same media which failed in its tests on ethics today cheerlead or succumb to jingoism – one must be sceptical on the root causes of the driving forces, as it may not be purely journalistic motives that led to many of these misreportings. More importantly, manufacturing hysteria of war-cries, which may, inadvertently, put pressure on the government as well as on the military, does not serve nation’s true interests.”
The article says “Therefore, when it comes to global credibility of our media to government, in spite of Pakistan’s abysmal records related to lack of meaningful actions against all forms of terror; India does not stand on any significantly higher pedestal in the credibility of its narrative when it comes to Pakistan”
The author, Prof Ranjit Goswami vice-chancellor of RK University, India, concludes, “Cheerleading two nuclear nations into a limited or escalated war, without factual accuracy ….can be much more damaging and devastating than any of the cheerleaders can potentially imagine.”
In another CounterCurrents article it is pointed out that:
“ Regions far from the borders can afford to play warmongering games, but the border regions in both countries would be devastated if war breaks out.’ The real question being pointed out is about the displacement of farmers on both sides of the borders. The sloganJai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ looks like a mockery when I read his article. Jawans on both sides of the border will be killed and kisans on both sides of the border will be displaced without having access to their farmlands. There is nothing for the interests of the jawans and kisans near the borders. The chess game is played between Lahore and Delhi. The pawns on the borders will have to sacrifice for leading the existence of pawns.”
It too understands why governments seek to control the media:
“The truth of the matter is that both Pakistan and India are afraid of the same thing. That the truth will come out in public one day or the other. Their games will be exposed! Therefore, both do not want any critical comments on their games, playing with the lives of people in this sub-continent.”
The author of this article, K.P. Sasi is a film-maker and activist, concludes:
“Time has come for those who believe in justice, peace and harmony in India and Pakistan to come out and put an end to this growing war mania. Time has come for the civil society, human rights activists, film personalities, writers, poets and cultural personalities on both sides to raise their voices with realisation that if such an action is not undertaken now the war mongers will play with our lives.”
If you seek to end the threat of wars contact:
The World Socialist Party (India): 257 Baghajatin ‘E’ Block (East), Kolkata – 700086,
Tel: 2425-0208,
E-mail: wspindia@hotmail.com
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