Himachal has newspapers rolling out in dozens. The media scene is dominated by Hindi newspapers followed by a miniscule English newspaper circulation. One thing is common among all sections of newspapers, foot licking the govt. Be it anyone, no newspaper has the balls to write against the wrong doings of the govt. Every newspaper is busy out doing each other in manipulating news in the govt favor and blocking embarrissing news and views.
Consider this, a major tragedy happened at Naina Devi shrine which was a direct result of mishandling on part of the govt as there were no adequate facilities for the people coming in. The govt was caught unaware at all levels as it has not even appointed an officer incharge responsible for managing things at the shrine, what to speak about other facilities for the public. 146 people died 'officialy'. More than the people killed in the terrorists blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad combined. What did our media do? NOTHING!!! Beleive me, nothing happened on the media front. Routine statements from the govt and a few 'human interest' stories of a person found alive among the dead. No newspaper dared to challenge the govt on its absolute mismanagement where it had an opportunity to fry the balls of the govt. The story has been removed from the papers all together as if nothing ever had happened.
Amar Ujala happens to be one of the largest circulating Hindi daily in Himachal and what is the pet project of this newspaper - remove restrictions from sealed roads in Shimla and let the vehicle ply on these roads freely. The newspaper recently carried a report on this issue equating it to the restrictions during British Raj. Well what it did not mention in its report that their office is right next to Ritz cinema which falls under the restricted road and the paper must have been paying heavy fees for permits to ply vehicles on the restricted road from US Club area.
Shimla city retains it character as there exists sealed roads. Imagine the havoc if vehicles were allowed to move freely on these roads and on the Mall. Plus we Shimlaites look damn fitter and smart because of all the walking involved during the day. How can the Amar Ujala staff relate to this city exclusivity as most of them are outsiders and simply doing a 'job' here. They have no sensitivity for local ethos.
Media has failed to highlight and educate people on issues related to the state's welfare. They don't write about the poor conditions of road in the state, failure of public distribution system in villages, absence of medical facilities in rural areas and above all the true scenario of the industrilisation of state. Himachalis are not getting jobs in Baddi area. Bigger investments like Ski Village are still in limbo. In fact Ski village is one such issue which can fill up tons of newspaper space about it viability or non viability. No journalist have ever taken pain to bring out the real picture. They just publish the views of the govt or the opposition leaders. That's it!
One of the major drawback of the region wise reporting of the Hindi newspaper is one does'nt know what is happening in the neighbouring district. People have been blocked off the news from the state and this serves the interest of the govt as well as the papers too in terms of circulation. Another major reason for the fall in journalistic standards is most of the bureau chiefs are non himachalis. These are the people who decide what needs to be published. They cannot relate to the ground realities and are just concerned about pleasing the govt and to remain in the good books.
Plainly speaking, Himachal media is contended with foot licking of the govt of the day!
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