Sheikh Fakhar-e-Alam
Any state is run by its three pillars: The executive, the legislature and the judiciary, but overtime media is also counted as the fourth pillar. This medium plays a vital role in reshaping the life of the society.
Its premier function and responsibility is to work as an informer, an educator, a form of entertainment and an opinion influencer. Media is like a mirror to the global village which reflects the factual and harsh realities of the world as it is being trusted by the whole world.
The role of the media becomes dubious when paid news is given by any particular political party, group or an organization working on a specific agenda. Such acts deviate the media from its real objectives and in spite of pursuing the role of a “watchdog” media becomes a puppet in the hands of power corridors.
Hence media being working for the people, by the people and of the people becomes for the sponsor, by the sponsor and of the sponsor. We have repeatedly seen in India that there have been numerous instances in which the “Godi media” on demand of the Modi-led RSS government has conducted media trials of Pakistan without checking the credibility of news.
In the global community, news based on information from credible, dependable, trustworthy and identified sources is published on media outlets but in India the things are totally opposite to this phenomenon.
Nowadays in India, Modi’s government is spreading disinformation through an organised system, with propaganda units affiliated with BJP, RSS and likeminded parties pushing false information to influence the political deck and spreading venom against Pakistan. Modi’s government has pressured advertisers and even shut down channels to shape the information that 1.3 billion Indians receive. Modi wants to make independent media outlets as a “Godi media” and his acts are part of a wider assault on dissent. On one hand, independent journalists in India feel under attack but, on the other hand, Modi’s government is facilitating his hawkish pro-government and anti-Pakistan media outlets and anchorpersons.
The fascist Modi’s government has tried to command Indian news media as its subordinate. Modi has shrewdly cultivated the media to build a cult of personality that represents him as the nation’s noble protector.
The sensational chats of Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami and former media industry executive ParthoDasgupta (head of a TV rating company) suggests that the 2019 Indian air-strike inside Pakistan’s Balakot area was designed to boost Modi’s chances for re-election. It also reveals the ugly underbelly of the media, the government and the regulators. The alleged text conversation three days before the air-strike specifies that Goswami had prior knowledge of the attack and that it was planned to drum up backing for Modi in his re-election bid in awaiting parliamentary elections (2019). Goswami texted Dasgupta prior to the 26 February 2019 airstrike, saying “something big will happen” and “On Pakistan the government is confident of striking in a way that people will be elated.”
Dasgupta tells Goswami the attack on Pakistan would give Modi a “sweeping majority” in the upcoming general election. Pakistani PM Imran Khan in a recent tweet rightly exposed the black Indian face by stating that “Latest revelations from communication of an Indian journalist, known for his warmongering, reveal the unholy nexus between the Modi government & Indian media that led to a dangerous military adventurism to win an election in utter disregard for the consequences of destabilizing the entire region”
This is a time when Pakistan should include the revelations of Goswami in a dossier related to Indian terrorism and present it to the entire world. Only a monster can kill its own 40 soldiers in Pulwama drama and blame a peace-loving country like Pakistan. This extremist mindset of Modi has brought two nuclear states to the brink of a war against each other.
The false-flag operation also exposes to what extent the coldblooded and heartless Modi and his companions can go in their witch hunt by slaughtering their own soldiers. This released chat has justified Islamabad’s position on the Pulwama operation as well as the terrorist attacks. The prior information and access to top-secret military operation of Indian army to a blue-eyed media person is also a big question mark on capability and responsibility of Indian army.
There is a number of separatist movements functional inside India. The Indian propaganda of isolating Pakistan is a failed reality. It has become very difficult for Modi’s government to cope with the situation internally and externally. The entire world has come to know that India, a self-claimed secular country, has been run by a fascist Hindutva government. The farmers protest movement, Khalistan movement, Kashmir freedom movement and several other issues have made India a hub of problems. Agenda of getting space in Indian politics by blaming Pakistan on fake operations has also been uncovered.
BJP, RSS and their coalition partners are trying to fire up the whole region. It’s time when sane voices in India have started to emerge, questioning the credibility of Narendra Modi’s state-sponsored terrorism. International community should also take strict action against Modi and to hold India accountable for destabilising the region.
—The writer is an Academic Researcher & Media Analyst.
