Same Media Group-Diffrent Coverage: Hindi Serving 'Dung' to Gobarpatti & English Trying to Save their Tasteful Liberal Image !

Cartoon courtesy of cartoonist Satish Acharya's ex-account

🔖 Rakesh Kayasth, Mumbai

It is very interesting to see what the big Indian groups, whose 'media products' are doing in both Hindi and English languages. The English newspapers of these groups seem to be trying to save their tasteful liberal image, while the Hindi newspapers are serving basketfuls of dung to the readers.

The Hindi newspaper of Times of India group Navbharat Times has some news in the top headline on its front page every day, whose aim is to further the divisive politics of BJP. If you try to find the same news of Navbharat Times in Times of India, you will not find it anywhere.

I am putting today's example in front of you. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammad tweeted about cricketer Rohit Sharma's fitness. The IT cell got busy in making it a Hindu vs Muslim issue. Navbharat Times published this news in three columns on the corner top of the front page. The headline was also made with enough spice "Congress leader's harsh words on Rohit, reprimanded by party."

To increase the sensation, an anonymous spokesperson was made a Congress 'leader' and the statement was declared 'harsh words' by passing judgement. Now it remains to be seen what Times of India did with such an 'important' news? The entire newspaper was searched but the news was not found anywhere. It is important to understand why there is so much difference in the way two newspapers of a media group work.

'Gobar Patti' may or may not contribute to the economy but it has the biggest role in forming the government. Therefore, keeping it ignorant is the biggest project. Along with BJP's IT cell, all the major Hindi newspapers are engaged in this project day and night. From PMO to the party's media cell, Hindi newspapers and Hindi channels are monitored everywhere, no one pays much attention to English.

English newspapers have their own readership, which can get angry if garbage is served beyond a limit. He has his own means of fact checking and options to obtain information are also open.

The English reader is concerned about the condition of the country but usually does not go to vote. Mumbaikars club the election holiday with the weekend and go for picnics. More or less the same situation must be there in other big cities as well, so the government does not care whatever is printed in the English newspapers.

But it is a big concern that Gobar Patti should always remain 'Gobar Patti'. Hindi newspapers are aware of this concern and are walking hand in hand with BJP. It is a matter to think about who benefits and who loses from the dose of poison.