Media and superstitions

In the 21st century, there is a conflict between modernization and superstitious belief. What we still find today in our so called 'modern society' is the prevalence of witch hunting, black magic and child sacrifice. In the days of science and technology, such prevalence transports us back to the dark ages of 19th century India.

There are still a significant section of the society who have failed to evolve from the dark  clutches of superstitious belief. What could possibly be the reason behind such inabilities to free oneself from this trap?

Perhaps rational thinking, education and science to some extent has failed to reach all corners of the world. In such a case, media could be responsible for eradicating these superstitions from our mind. Because, media is the only medium that can act as a bridge between modern scientific findings and traditional superstitious thought.

However sometimes this medium loses its focus and concentrates on negative elements. On one hand, media prohibits and discourages the issue of witch hunting and on the other hand, media promotes and encourages advertisement of astrology or Tantra Mantra  and even remedial solutions of various problem like education, business, marriage, family dispute, love, through black magic.

Such role of media is neither neutral nor biased. This creates confusion in the mind of the readers or viewers. So, people are exhausted by the role that the media plays today since they are unable to take sides. This present stance of media can itself be termed as the failure of incarnation of science or the basic purpose of education which is to bring all round progress to the society.

Maintaining neutrality by the media doesn't mean categorically stating what is right or wrong, but it means showcasing that which is progressive and promotes the well being of the society. The people of current times need to evolve themselves with the changing dynamics of the society. It also means that one requires having an absolute understanding of human value in the civilized world.

Media needs to introspect and undertake a critical study of one's own understanding of the world which is the need of hour, otherwise there is a huge possibility of misleading the common people through such an effective means of communication media.

Jatin Lahan