Pictures still speak the most universally understood language...

Walt Disney the master mind behind the creation of the great Disney work, right from a mouse who can talk to the last fairy tale Princess with extraordinary long hair, ones made a statement ‘Of all our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language. ’ By this statement he simply meant that the pictures always speak louder and a thousand word than any regular normal language.

One of the best example to support the above statement is ‘The Girl in the Picture.’ It only took a second for Associated Press photographer Huynh Cong to snap the iconic black and white image 40 years ago. Phan  Thi Kim a Vietnamese girl at about nine years of age running naked on the road after being severely burned on her back by a South Vietnamese napalm attack. The Girl in the Picture deals primarily with Vietnamese and American relationships during the Vietnam War, while examining themes of war, racism, immigration, political turmoil, repression, poverty and international relationships through the lens of the family and particularly through the eyes and everyday lives of women. It communicated the horrors of the Vietnam war in a way words could never describe, helping to end one of the most divisive wars in American history. 

When the image of the naked little girl emerged, everyone feared it would be rejected because of the news agency's strict policy against nudity. It was a chilling photograph that came to symbolize the horrors of the Vietnam War and, ultimately, helped end it. Also this photograph helped Huynh Cong "Nick" to win the Pulitzer Prize.

The second example is an image that captured an epic moment in U.S. history the ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ where a sailor locked in a passionate kiss with a nurse in New York City's Times Square at the end of World War II. The photograph is known under various titles, such as V-J (Victory over Japan) Day in Times Square, V-Day, and The Kiss This couple who won the nations heart was captured by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Kissing was a favourite pose encouraged by media photographers of service personnel during the war, but Eisenstaedt was photographing a spontaneous event that occurred in Times Square as the announcement of the end of the war on Japan was made by U.S.

Culture and Communication

The term “culture” refers to the collection of knowledge, folklore, language, rules, rituals, habits, lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, and customs that link and give a common identity to a particular group of people at a specific point in time.

A group also develops a culture which is composed of the collection of rules, rituals, customs, and other characteristics that give an identity to the social unit. Where a group traditionally meets, whether meetings begin on time or not, what topics are discussed, how decisions are made, and how the group socializes are all elements of what, over time, become defining and differentiating elements of its culture.

The most rich and complex cultures are those that are associated with a society or a nation, and the term “culture” is most commonly used to refer to these characteristics, including language and language-usage patterns, rituals, rules, and customs. A societal or national culture also includes such elements as significant historical events and characters, philosophies of government, social customs, family practices, religion, economic philosophies and practices, belief and value systems, and concepts and systems of law.

Communication is the process of conveying ones message through the use of language. Communication can be verbal and non verbal too. Verbal communication includes the use of language of word by talking and non verbal includes the use of sign language, emails, video clippings, etc.

The relationship between communication and culture is a very complex. First, cultures are created through communication; that is, communication is the means of human interaction through which cultural descriptions; whether customs, roles, rules, rituals, laws, or other patterns are created and shared. It is not so much that individuals set out to create a culture when they interact in relationships, groups, organizations, or societies, but rather that cultures are a natural by-product of social interaction. In a sense, cultures are the “residue” of social communication. Without communication and communication media, it would be impossible to preserve and pass along cultural characteristics from one place and time to another. One can say, therefore, that culture is created, shaped, transmitted, and learned through communication. The reverse is also the case; that is; communication practices are largely created, shaped, and transmitted by culture.

To understand the implications of this communication-culture relationship, it is necessary to think in terms of ongoing communication processes rather than a single communication event. For example, when a three-person group first meets, the members bring with them individual thought and behavioural patterns from previous communication experiences and from other cultures of which they are, or have been, a part. As individuals start to engage in communication with the other members of this new group, they begin to create a set of shared experiences and ways of talking about them. If the group continues to interact, a set of distinguishing history, patterns, customs, and rituals will evolve. Some of these cultural characteristics would be quite obvious and tangible, such that a new person joining the group would encounter ongoing cultural “rules” to which they would learn to conform through communication. 

New members would in turn influence the group culture in small, and sometimes large, ways as they become a part of it. In a reciprocal fashion, this reshaped culture shapes the communication practices of current and future group members. This is true with any culture; communication shapes culture, and culture shapes communication. Effective communication with people of different cultures is especially challenging.

Cultures provide people with ways of thinking with ways of seeing, hearing, and interpreting the world. But no culture is complete without communication. It is only through communication that there is spread and recognition of cultures.

FREEDOM NEEDS GAURDIAN

You may have so many things which are yours. Your books, clothes, toys, etc. And most important of all is your home. It belongs to you forever. But do you belong to anybody or anything? You will immediately say, yes. I belong to my parents, siblings, and friends and so on. And yes you also belong to your country; to India.

          Since childhood everyone tells you this and you accept it without even thinking over it. We Indians, usually take such things for granted. We feel at home in our own country. But this feeling has come to us a gift and we accept this fact blindly without even knowing the importance of it. We fail to realise that the fight for independence brought out the best and noblest qualities of mankind. We fail to realise that it attracted men and women who believed that no price was too big to pay for freedom. We fail to realise that we fought without hatred and bloodshed and the only weapon we used were courage and determination to see India free.

          Today as a citizen of free India we celebrate the 66^th year of The Indian Independence by not paying respect to our mother land. While the national anthem is played we walk around chit chatting with our friends, we find our national tricolour fallen on the ground and yet we don’t even make an attempt to pick it up.

          We do not cherish the democracy or the secularism our country has offered. All we talk about is how corrupted the society is, how unclean is our nation, how crowded we are.

          No system of government is perfect; you got to make it perfect. The freedom which we have got is not a gift but is an achievement. An achievement of our ancestors. It needs to be safeguarded. There is no guarantee that tomorrow also we may remain free. The threat to freedom not always comes from outside, more often it comes from within. Freedom needs guardians. Today we are its guardians, tomorrow our children. Every generation needs to do its job well so that you can pass on the torch of freedom to those coming after you. 

Newspapers Dumbing Down The News. They’re Digging Their Own Graves

Adam Joy a reporter from London said that- This is getting seriously out of hand: newspapers are filling their pages with celebrity gossip and endless articles about programmes on the box, pretending that this constitutes news.

Joy even mentioned that when newspapers start covering trashy TV shows, competitions and sit-coms on the box, in all their inglorious detail, it means that they’ve gotten so lazy and incompetent that they don’t even bother to send their reporters out in search of proper stories. Yes, truly no one needs this sort of coverage. It’s only suitable for people who wouldn’t be able to distinguish what news is.

Adam believes that there are these certain kinds of columnists who pick up the stories from their own newspapers and give readers their take on them. Who needs so many columnists anyway? Most of them are hopeless and peddle their nasty agendas. They just sit at home and throw their opinions at us. What do they actually know about politics, economics, art or life generally? It’s a just a cosy arrangement for scribblers.

With that sort of attitude no wonder serious events in the world get coverage worthy of school newspapers. Look at the events in the Middle East and Africa. The things that appears in so-called ‘serious papers’ resembles some make belief drivel. No one can even explain what’s going on and just bang about democracy and people power and freedom and that other entire thing that has nothing to do with what is actually taking place.

Intervention in Libya, the coverage of it is a disgrace in the Western press. Biased. That’s what happens when dumb down the information flow. They lose a sense of reality, not to mention that they can no longer write properly.

Newspapers owners and editors complain that their readership numbers are falling, supposedly undercut by the web. But the main reason is not that. It’s because newspapers are digging their own graves, providing news that isn’t really news. And if it doesn’t stop, they’ll simply disappear. 

Media must face the mirror

An article ran on the internet saying that it is time that the media must face the mirror.

This article is synopsis of what the internet article said or rather conveyed along with the consideration of Katju’s interview. As media logic goes, the more the eyeballs, the more the revenue. The more the revenue, the stronger the organisation, the stronger the organisation, the better paid are the journalists.

But how does one get there? Discard all facades of intellect and appeal to the lowest common denominator. Dumb down enough to attract attention, swim with the tide and never upset the audience. After all, it is eyeballs that matter. But how far can one really go?

The current outrage against the media is not entirely unjustified. Yes, the media has taken up an activist role, raising the issues of people and exposing corruption in high places. But clearly that has not been enough to bring enough credibility to the profession.

Politicians and people who are constantly under the media scanner have their own axe to grind against the media, but what is worrisome is the shrinking respect for journalists among the lay viewer.

The sharp reaction in the media to Justice Markandey Katju’s caustic remarks on journalists reveals their inability to introspect and take criticism with dignity. Katju was too sweeping in his observation and too condescending, but, the media which feels it has unfettered rights to criticise everybody was not doing any justice to them by refusing to take some criticism. The sad part is Katju’s impression on the low intellect of journalists is shared by a good number of intelligent people.

Possibly, the process of dumbing down has gone too far. By focussing too much on the lowest common denominator, journalists have come to be viewed as part of the imagined or actual audience they cater to, of the same intellectual wave length. The simple truth that the audience, viewer, reader is intelligent and needs better in form of news and analysis is conveniently forgotten.

A big share of the blame rests with television media which has come to be identified as ‘the media’. With television, ‘over-the-top’ is the standard expression used in the context of certain programmes. It was at its worst during the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare.

Anchors of some channels became extensions of the crowd at Ramlila Maidan. There was no sense of balance, objectivity and whatever acceptable journalism stands for. The anchors were clearly taking sides, stifling all contrarian views and bulldozing critics of the movement. In some studios there was a clear absence of reasoned discussion. The viewer at large was forced not to be critical and swallow the views of anchors.

The media was doing no great service to journalism by going out of control. In the panel discussions, the anchor did not ask questions, he/she interrogated; took a pre-decided line on issues and forced others in the panel to fall in line. There was a lot of arrogance going around. It was not difficult for the viewer to realise that he was being taken for a ride, made to look stupid.

In this particular case, a large section of the media was going with the public mood, too timid to raise questions. In the process, it was not fighting a public cause, it was looking after its own interests.

Finally, it’s about eyeballs. Interestingly, the media’s credibility has not gone up after theAnna episode. The feeling around is they are not doing what they are supposed to do.

Raising public temperature was never their core activity.

Why must anchors be showmen, entertainers and rabble-rousers, all rolled into one? It is not a role they are supposed to play. They would be doing a great service to the country by being dispassionate observers encouraging intelligent debate and genuine discussions. It may not get viewers in droves but it will certainly give respectability to the profession. The message: respect the intelligence of the viewer, he will respect yours.

But it also has to be admitted that it is a situation many editors all very competent journalists —are forced into. Competition is a difficult beast to handle. And it’s a matter of eyeballs in the end.

The Hindu takes on “dumbing down” with new campaign

The Hindu, after a long silence has decided to take competitors heads on with its new campaign 'stay ahead with the Hindu.' Featuring responses from readers of competitors newspapers, the campaign use its brand's heritage and credibility to highlight the present state of Indian journalism. Interestingly, this is the first time that the publication has embareked on a large 360 degree campaign spread across TV, radio, print, outdoor, digital, and on ground activities.

The point is that it is observed that newspapers and the broadcast channels often dumb down hardcore stories replacing it by the soft news stories. But The Hindu, an English daily broadsheet came up with this extraordinary act of campaign. It placed unusual ads stating that ‘Also has 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, pages’ and ‘For Current Affairs that go beyond Bollywood Affairs.’

          The responses from general people for questions ranging from politics to sports and music, and while they seem to be getting all the answers wrong, all of them give the right answers for questions related to Bollywood. The last question posed to all the respondents is about the newspaper they read. However, the responses for this question are beeped out. The film ends with the line ‘Stay ahead of the times’.

          The Hindu believed that in a more than ever globalising knowledge-driven economy, it is vital that readers are well informed about the world at large. And yet, over the last few years, news from the media industry in India has increasingly focused on serving up a steady diet of trivia and shied away from the national and international issues that matter. It is the kind of news that equates to junk food. In the long term, it is a steady dumbing down of readers who end up knowing about a celebrity’s kid than about serious stuff that truly matters. 

          This campaign not helped The Hindu in promoting more in order to beat against its competitors but also it helped in giving a clear cut idea that the time has come to hold up a mirror to the new trend in Indian journalism, which is really dumbing down the society at large. Here The Hindu acted as the only media institution that has the heritage and credibility to raise this issue.

          The thing that has happened is that most of the people are steeped into the ‘Page 3’ culture and in this knowledge driven economy it is important that people are well versed with relevant current affairs and world events rather than just gossip  

IS DUMBING DOWN GOOD OR BAD?

Is the news we are provided not prioritized properly? 

This is a debate that has not ended up with any conclusions so far. What decides or rather who decides what the general public should know and what the general public need not know?

On Sunday, following the Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest that had taken place in Mumbai on Saturday night, the Times of India carried a news report filling almost half a page in the main paper about the event.

Right below the report of the Miss India event was a small 3 column report of a very tragic incident - a small boy of about 9 years of age was beaten up brutally by police officers. His crime was that he had stolen 500 rupees. He stole the money to get to his grandmother after his mother had abandoned him while he was asleep.

The boy was roughed up so much that his face was extremely bruised, his arm was broken, and he almost crawled into court holding his stomach in pain. The judge has called for strict action against the policemen and has asked for medical treatment to be given to the boy immediately.

Reality programme bytes, who is dating whom, who is getting married, who has celebrated his 60^th -70^th birthday, etc is telecasted by news channels. Who is interested in such stories? And if there are some people interested, then for such news we do have entertainment channels. The question is why news channels broadcasting theses stories? Why are they dumbing down hardcore news of greater importance?

There is a diminishing appetite for serious news.

Tell me... what is more important for the general public to know? 

We are all aware that the size and positioning of a story speaks volumes about the importance the newspaper gives it.

Is it more important for people to know in detail what happened at a glamorous event, or is it more important for them to be made aware of such dehumanizing acts vetted out to poor kids?

It appears as if newspapers and broadcast channels today are prioritizing glam and celebrity gossip over things that are of more importance to the lay man. 

It is however, a vicious cycle.

We cannot blame newspapers or broadcast news channels alone.

They run on money. They need their revenue and so they cater to what their audience wants to see.

Is it not true that a majority of the people look forward to the glam-quotient of their news than its relevance? 

So who's to blame?

Is it the public because what we want is what we see? Or the channels or the newspapers?

The debate continues....

PISA- An Eye Opener...

PISA (Program for International Students Assessment) is an international study that was launched by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in 1997. It aims to evaluate education systems worldwide every 3 years by assessing 15 year old students in the key subjects of science, mathematics and reading.

The PISA results were recently out and it was shocking to see India landing on the 2^nd last position among 73 countries that participated. However, it wasn’t shocking to those whose children go to the Indian schools. It was told that the results are not a reflection of Indian’s poor state of schooling. Instead the failure has been certified to a cultural disconnect between the questions and Indian students.

This shows the quality of education that is provided to the students in India. Schools are strictly controlled in such a way that the students score high marks in examinations. In fact they study for only exams and not to develop themselves, to think or to analyse. The fact is that the quality and quantity of education in India is pathetic. Never ever is there any focus on practical learning. Whereas, science is all about learning theories, with there being no facility to visit science centres to see the theories work in practise. Not only this but the evaluation of marks for certain subjects and the quantity of syllabus included for certain marks are not proportional.

This incident should be considered as an eye opener. Our Indian Constitution talks of the fundamental Right of Education to every Indian. The government should look into improvising the educational standards. If merely being able to write one’s own name makes one literate, then that’s not going to be enough in this rising world. 

Justice Delayed Is Better Than Justice Denied...

After 10 long years, the India judiciary has woken up from its sleep. Out of the 2 important and right verdicts, namely Kasab’s death sentence and secondly the Naroda Pati massacre, were passed by the apex court of India. The Naroda victims will finally be at peace as justice will be awarded to them.

            Maya Kodnani along with 32 other convicts was accused for the 2002 Godhra train slaughter. This verdict is regarded as landmark one. It is for the first time that an Indian court has ever convicted a sitting MLA — Maya Kodnani who was also a minister in Narendra Modi’s government 2007- 2009. She was accused for mob aggression against members of a religious community. All the 32 convicts should be punished, particularly, Maya Kodnani who despite being a woman had lead to such a bloodshed which included more of women and children. Not only has this but also, later, case of gang rape and sexual harassment were observed.  If Kasab is guilty of killing innocent Indians as are the Godhra case convicts. They should be punished for their heinous crime and then and only then justice will be served. These convicts do not deserve a place in the society.

                        Sadly, this ‘stunning verdict’ took 10 years to punish the accused. Our judicial system is a long way road to be entirely justfull at the right moment. But the brighter side is that justice still prevails in India. Justice delayed is at least better than justice denied.

Is Capital Punishment valid for terrorists?

There are many kinds of crime and sins that a human being commits on every day basis, calling it the ‘human nature’. Every holy book talks of Karma as to what you sow you reap but not encouraging killing of human beings, in particular. Unlike the holy books, one of the measures of the government is to punish the sinners (terrorists) by imposing Capital Punishments. Indian law follows the traditional way of hanging by the neck until death.

            In simple and understandable words, Capital Punishment is the act of killing or executing a person who is found guilty of a very serious crime in the eyes if the law. Application of this kind of punishment is quite a debatable topic considering it brutal and justful at the same time. In most of the cases, punishment for terrorist actions with capital punishment is necessary. If once a Capital Punishment is awarded to criminal a threat will be incepted in the minds of others who wouldn’t dare to disrupt the peace and harmony in the society. This way people involved in criminal activities will feel the power and strength of the existing law.

            However, if Capital Punishment has to be imposed on any criminal, on what background has he committed the crime and how badly has it affected the society should be taken into consideration and then and only then, the punishment should be given. Like when a student commits a school felony he should be educated rightly by elders.

            It is the basic math that the punishment should equal to the rate of crime. Some crimes are so horrifying that people consider revenge is the only option to satisfy their sorrow through seeing the terrorist receiving capital punishment.  This reasoning is not based on logic but on emotions, like an eye for an eye ideology. But here people fail to realise that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

             In conclusion, Capital Punishment is one effective method to prevent and curb crime but at the same time one must consider the reasons of crimes and think for, if, any additional better way to resolve the problem.