The media is the most powerful entity on earth and considered the fourth pillar of the democracy all over the world. But sadly, after Modi took over, there’s a gag on Indian media which regrettably seems content in reproducing press hand-outs and forgetting all about critical analysis. Mighty journalists are falling over themselves to click selfies with the PM. Selfies may be regarded as something innocuous but “the real worry is the media’s dramatic descent to absence of dissent”.
Seasoned journalists afraid of reprisals are shying away from adopting the same stringent critical standards they once adhered to.
Where are the courageous journalists of yesteryear? “Have they taken the softer option and decided to play ball with Modi? Have they meekly decided to suck-up to Modi and his A team?”
It is no secret that Modi has revealed his penchant to calibrate media interactions. For him it is a one-way street. “His message to the media is direct and simple: Get lost”. It is a matter of consternation that he has forgotten how he harnessed and exploited the incredible potential of all available electronic media to kick-start and carry forward his election blitz.
Shobhaa De rues, “If we carry on like Modi slaves any longer, the day won’t be far away before we give up all claims to credible, truthful journalism and turn ourselves into performing monkeys happy to dance to Modi’s dumroo. What a sad day it will be for India!”
Dr. Francisco Colaco, Margao
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Sena’s brand of politics
Shiv Sena has never followed the normal political discourse in its entire political life. It has been using intimidation, aggression, and uncouth language against anybody who did not (or does not) toe its line. When it was an alley of the Bharatiya Janata Party (unfortunately, still it is), it used its mount-piece, Sammna to target BJP and its leaders, almost on a regular basis; and it is doing even now. The BJP silently swallowed the insults and insinuations for long. The latest is using un-parliamentary language against Prime Minister. It is high time that the other political parties come together to take on the Shiv Sena. It was expected that since BJP and Shiv Sena fought the election and won, there would be little hiccup in forming a new government in Maharashtra. But the tiger, badly bruised in the hustle, started roaring again.
Every day, Shiv Sena sets new conditions and floats new demands. The whole show lacks maturity and grace. Its daily outbursts have exposed Shiv Sena to the charge of power hungry leadership. The people of Maharashtra have been waiting for a sort of deliverance, but now you have the worst kind of political blackmail. If the BJP has any self-respect, it should not succumb to the blackmail. If need be prepare for a fresh election rather than become a party to the manipulative
politics.
SND Poojary, Miramar
Zalach pahiji agenda?
I watched the oath taking ceremony on television and was wondering whether our new CM Laxmikant Parsekar and his eight MLA’s were members of the Maharashtra Government as they took the oath in Marathi instead of our mother tongue Konkani. Only Francis took in Konkani whilst Alina took in English.
If the new enthusiastic CM is so eager to occupy the chair, he should atleast realized that he is the CM of Goa and the same with the other MLA’s too. It is we the electorate who elected you to serve the people of Goa by speaking in Konkani and not in Mauxi language. Vijai Sardesai has rightly pointed out the betrayal of our mother tongue by the ruling dispensation, as they again embarked on the Zalach Pahije agenda.
Mr CM as we congratulate you on taking this highest place of honour, we hope that you will keep up to your words in keeping the unity of us Goans by speaking Konkani and not mixing Marathi words whilst doing so, as we observed you during the last assembly session when you addressed or answered questions.
John Rebello, Old Goa
Right choice for post
The Dy C.M. Francis D’Souza should have been the natural and logical choice to become the Chief Minister of Goa for several reasons. He is the longest serving MLA of the party, the number 2 in the Cabinet, he had managed the affairs of the State in the CM’s absence, he is a double graduate, competent and a loyalist. The one thing that he fell short of is that he does not belong to the majority community. A few weeks ago, Francis had said that he is a ‘Christian Hindu’. Whatever that means, it was not good enough to his party, which denies that it is a communal party but proves otherwise when the time for reckoning comes.
Further, Francis is the only MLA who took the oath in Konkani. Eight out of the 10 MLAs took the oath in Marathi. Is this an omen of the revival of the ‘zalach pahije’ agenda? It could well be! Hence it is time to be alert and ready to confront.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
