Wherever any disaster happens we do get reported. Any upcoming disasters like cyclones are being reported instantly. Upcoming technologies have made our lives easier. We get information very easily wherever any disaster happens or any going to occur. Though we talk about the negatives, the media has a dominant role in our lives.
It helps in keeping up updated regarding any information. It helps in disseminating the information to the public. Helping them and guiding them on what to do and what not to do. Even the media helps in raising funds too.
The government with the help of the media also provides information. Like how they take the refugees and provide basic necessities to people.
It provides the link between the public and emergency organizations.
The situations will be very different if media is not our pillar. To provide services to the refugees or people who are stuck there would have become very difficult. There are many examples that are mentioned of how media played a prominent role. Bhuj earthquake, Gujarat floods, Kedarnath incident, Japan floods, etc. Let’s know more about the role of media and how it affects people.
What are some positive aspects of media?
Media is a professional tool and can help in yielding positive results if we positively use them and help the government officials too.
The media provides instant information to the people and from trusted sources at the local level. They do a lot of research from their side, especially the local reporter's search around the areas and then provide it to the news organization. This information was then aired on the news channel to the public.
They inform the public about the incident which heightens awareness and helps in influencing public opinion and discussing how the disaster can be managed.
Providing actual footage and coverages of incidents which helps in making decisions
and saving the lives of people and their property.
The media provides a piece of information to the people about public safety, roads, and utilities that people can approach. Through that people actually start fundraising and helping the people who are affected there.
Even media organizations help the fundraising organizations by telling about them on their news channels or radios etc.
Advanced technologies and accurate weather information have helped avert major disasters taking the example of the Andhrapradesh and Orissa cyclones by educating people about hazardous consequences by warning them and also alerting the government about the relief and rescue.
How has media become so strong?
During crucial events, the media has a strong role to play. By providing accurate information and showing places of the areas which are mostly affected and information about the vulnerable communities which are stuck and need help. Take the example of the Kerela floods and how media played its role.
By broadcasting reliable information to the public for the safety of the public and is credible. Media contributes to creating disaster awareness and making them aware of the consequence of the disaster in advance.
By establishing a link with the disaster management agencies. By partnering with the Disaster Management agencies media establishes a corporation with them laying the groundwork which helps both of them and has great potential. Basically, they establish a collaboration with them.
By establishing networks the media often collects information. Maybe through the organization. Like take the example of Reuters, Prasar Bharti Print Media, or news Media collects information from them and then uses it to present to the audience.
Even Prasar Bharti is an organization that comes under the control of the government and many news and print media collect information and present it to the audience.
Many international disasters happen like Volcanos, or earthquakes are reported by Reuters, British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC), etc. Like the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
Sometimes it becomes difficult for the State disaster management authority to provide information to the people in the local areas and the Media comes on board and helps the state disaster management authority by using their sources and network to help the people and by coordinating with them to increase the reach of information.
Any type of problem occurs media has established its way provide information. After
Liberalization privatization and Globalisation of private media channels entered the industry and changed the game of media.
Through Breaking News, 24 * 7 news media constantly provides information to the audience to consume information. They are constantly on their toes and very vigilant so that people cannot miss any single information.
People have established their trust in the media. If we take the recent example of covid situation Media handled the situation. Showing cases all around the world and providing suggestions to the people on how they can protect themselves and precautions to take while going out regularly informing people has strengthened its position.
What are some negatives of Media?
In order to increase their reach and their TRP ratings, the media becomes inhuman and starts exaggerating information on even sensitive issues.
If we talk about Indian Media it is extremely biased and roughly handles every situation. Sometimes they talk inappropriately either in print or in News media. It’s like they are not aligned toward any decision.
They are supporting any party just because they like their ideology. The media’s role is to provide the solutions to the problems not to aggravate the problem.
Often influential politicians manipulate the Media for their personal and political gains.
Often influential politicians manipulate the Media for their personal and political gains.
Ruling political parties know that it’s their fault that they were unable to handle the disaster so they give money to the media especially news channels and some newspapers so that they can show the information in favor of them. One or two newspapers despite the pressure of the political parties try to have a critical decision against the party.
Conclusion
Media is a source of unity and can bring people together to solve any crisis.
Written by Ananya Birla
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