Media and Mamata

Nidhu Bhusan Das: Media, it appears, are sharply polarized in West Bengal on the eve of Mamta Government’s completion of one year in office. While two leading Bengali morningers and a couple of 24X 7 Bengali TV news channels are in crusade against the government, certain other media outlets are all for the government. Once, not long ago, a darling of the media, Mamata has, of late, surely lost ground with a section of the media in the state. Meanwhile, three media men have been sent to the Rajya sabha (upper house) of the Indian Parliament by Mamata’s party. None of them belongs to the crusading camp. Media is expected to play the watchdog in democracy. It is to reflect the pluralism, help form educated public opinion in and for a vibrant democracy. It is a fact that different media outlets represent and become mouthpieces of different interest groups and segments of the society, in any democracy. In West Bengal also it is so. Some newspapers, for instance, are openly in favor of market economy and find the remedy for all economic woes in industrialization even on fertile farm lands. They showed their reluctance in reporting police action against agitating farmers in Singur where farm land was acquired for Tata Nano automobile factory, forcibly evicting the farmers. Many were against acquiring fertile land for industry. However, media played a role in creating the climate for change in the state informing the people about the crusade of Mamata against the rule of the Left Front. Mamata Government has, perhaps, begun to show its flaws. Lack of reticence is its greatest flaw till date. Selection of newspapers for the public libraries has not augured well for the government. Whatever be the explanation of the government, the perception in the public mind does not go with it. In fact, it is not wise for a government to create an impression that it is against free flow of information. People do not take it kindly. The stepping down of Dinesh Trivedi as railway minister for Mamata Confidant Mukul Roy did not send out the right message to the people. Till the assembly polls, an overwhelming majority of people might have reservations against a section of her party men but they had unflinching faith in the honesty of purpose of Mamata and her personal integrity. The way the Chief Minister handled the situation following the Amri Hospital fire added a lot to her goodwill. Her statement on the Park Street rape case was unwarranted and it neutralized the impact of good work of the police under her. It appears Mamata is overworked and over burdened. The swelling of her party with people from erstwhile ruling party has led to squabbles and internecine fights. Many new entrants do not have good image. Mamata has to decide if her party should shelter the tainted political elements from the immediate past ruling party. If a firm decision to oust such people is not taken and executed without delay, the party stands to lose in terms of goodwill and popular support. Meanwhile, members of the intelligentsia who were with her in the wake of the Singur-Nandigram episodes have begun to be disillusioned following certain hasty decisions which appear to go redundant. Sycophancy appears to be at work in the party and the government. If it really exists, it should be rooted out in no time.