Reality Bites Hard VI ... The negative effect of Media

A couple of days ago the National Capital Region of India realised with full force of the extent of affect that the media is having in forming and distorting the minds of young Indians. All the news channels were airing an incident that took place in a school in Gurgaon where a 13 year old kid turned his gun on another school fellow - who also happened to be 13 years of age - just because he claimed that the victim was an un-bearable bully. The victim died on the spot. Thus a budding life was snuffed out before it had a chance to survive and contribute to the society.

When I heard the news then there were a couple of initial reactions that I had:

1. The perpetrators of the crime are unaware of the consequences of the deed.
2. There is a certain degree of lack of respect for the law which probably is inculcated by the environment that the boy lives in.
3. Somehow the level of tolerance and forgiveness is low among today's generation.
4. In today's society there is easy access to weapons - which might have been procured for protection of one's dignity but somehow the perception of dignity has become distorted and out of shape.

As had been pointed out in earlier articles written in this blog, the media has a very strong hand these days in shaping the minds of today's generation and their reach is very high. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the media as to what kind of message are they conveying. Turn on an entertainment channel and there are daily soaps that potray coming back alive from the dead, bending of the law, escaping the law, commiting acts of crime skillfully to avoid detection, shows of egoism, inflicting mental anguish, low tolerance and vendetta. Turn on any news channel and there are evidences of money and power being used to escape the law.

Today's high paced life style also gives parents little time to pay attention to their children. They substitute money for time and values and escape the guilt of giving young India today the citizens that it has. Home is the best place to learn..... both good things and bad. Aren't we all failing to build a strong, responsible, tolerant and law abiding younger generation?

Isn't it time we changed a few neccessary facts of life and be proud of having mentored a child to have good, strong, forgiving, tolerant character?