With rise in right-wing fundamentalism, more leaders with authoritarian tendencies, increasing intolerance and extreme polarisation of masses, media face enormous challenges each day.
Donald J Trump is more powerful than any other most powerful person ever in the world. The reason is not only that he is the President of a country that staunchly believes in and makes sure to establish its primacy on the global stage, but also that he is perhaps the most unpopular President of that country. Even if we assume that there had been Presidents in the past, who had also held preposterous opinions, the difference between them and Trump is that of information technology.
In the twenty-first century as the internet and social media circumscribe every nook and corner of the world, anything he does, says or tweets reaches millions of people; and there are certainly many who take his buffoonery seriously (as is evident from the fact that he was elected as President in the first place). So when Trump describes media persons as “among the most dishonest human beings on earth”, it is severely distressing not only because something seems to be really wrong with the beliefs of the US President but because of the propensity of his statements to influence millions of people across the world.
Trump and his team vociferously falsified news reports that stated that the turnout for his Presidential inauguration was much less than that for his predecessor Barack Obama. The new President’s audacious attack on the media came despite the fact that aerial views of the National Mall on Live TV did not show crowds “all the way back to the Washington Monument” as claimed by him. Anyone who saw pictures and videos of both the Presidential inauguration and the concurrent protests against him led by women in different cities of the world would know where the turnout was enormous.
Denne historien er fra February 15 2017-utgaven av Tehelka.
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Denne historien er fra February 15 2017-utgaven av Tehelka.
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Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?