I try watching few TV programmes-BBC international news, few national news telecast and debates on political, social and health issues.
The BBC continues to carry a news broadcast style that appears fair, without wanting to project any one opinion too strongly. I am glad that they do not go out gathering news, to authenticate what they seem to believe. They remain open and delay giving a final opinion.
In contrast, I wonder whether the English news channels we have in India, are already politically aligned to one party or the other and seems to attempt to get views or conduct dialogue with guests on their chat shows to substantiate their already formed opinions! I find the anchors, intrusive, interrupting guests while talking, and favouring some guests or their opinions over others. The language used often is intimidating, imposing and interfering.
These debates are watched by young people to whom, we are trying to reach out to help them follow some good practices, while debating on issues- respect and regard for others. We want to promote respect for opinions of others and freedom of speech with responsibility. We gain little by accusation or by blaming. We ought to be building consensus on controversial issues and formulate opinions on issues of concern with soberness and rationality.
I lament over the language of anger, provocation, and insinuation which has become almost common in our public debates!
I read regularly the editorials of four national English news papers. It is most refreshing to observe the high standard of debate, they still preserve without going the TV news cast way. The editors complement to affirm; they criticise to promote change and they advocate perspectives based on values and national interest. They use a language of tolerance and admonition.
I find anger, intolerance and self promotion becoming a habitual pattern in public debates. Let me recall what Jesus of Nazareth once said, ' The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders'(Mat.15:18-19).
The other day, while travelling with a friend, at a relatively quiet T-junction, another car turned in our direction, without noticing us. Both the drivers got down from their cars to apologise to each other. What an example of respect for each other!
I wonder whether politeness, courtesy and mindfulness for others can be restored!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
These debates are watched by young people to whom, we are trying to reach out to help them follow some good practices, while debating on issues- respect and regard for others. We want to promote respect for opinions of others and freedom of speech with responsibility. We gain little by accusation or by blaming. We ought to be building consensus on controversial issues and formulate opinions on issues of concern with soberness and rationality.
I lament over the language of anger, provocation, and insinuation which has become almost common in our public debates!
I read regularly the editorials of four national English news papers. It is most refreshing to observe the high standard of debate, they still preserve without going the TV news cast way. The editors complement to affirm; they criticise to promote change and they advocate perspectives based on values and national interest. They use a language of tolerance and admonition.
I find anger, intolerance and self promotion becoming a habitual pattern in public debates. Let me recall what Jesus of Nazareth once said, ' The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders'(Mat.15:18-19).
The other day, while travelling with a friend, at a relatively quiet T-junction, another car turned in our direction, without noticing us. Both the drivers got down from their cars to apologise to each other. What an example of respect for each other!
I wonder whether politeness, courtesy and mindfulness for others can be restored!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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