Mayhem in Myanmar

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. But the above illustration does more than convey a thousand odd words; it tells the story of thousands of people who might not have the opportunity to voice their opinion in any other public forum.

Political cartoons have guided public opinion and shaped ideologies for generations now, becoming one of the most popular and potent means of expressing a viewpoint. But the above depiction is even more special as it does more than just project a situation. It is also a stifled cry for help from the people of Myanmar, who are distraught after a catastrophic cyclone and neglected by an imposing, military government. Sure, it may be drawn by a complete foreigner, but then no one is in any way alien to the situation in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar.

Thousands Perish

The world has been a horrified witness to the tragedy that struck Myanmar when on May 2nd, 2008, Cyclone ‘Nargis’ hit the coast of the small country, formerly known as Burma, causing untold damage to life and property. But what was even more shocking to watch was that despite the magnitude of destruction caused, the military ‘junta’ that rules in Myanmar was adamant on disallowing foreign aid workers from entering the country due to fears that it might lose its grip on the nation and its people. The only international aid workers allowed into the country have been from neighbouring, usually friendly, nations.

With this virtual ban on foreign aid workers, the ‘junta’ declared that the situation would be brought under control by them, but that does not seem to be the case if recent reports are to be believed. According to the Red Cross, about 95% of homes in rural areas have been wiped away by ‘Nargis’. People are seen lined up along the streets, begging the limited number of aid workers that pass by for scraps of food in order to survive. The death toll has reached around 78,000 with more people feared dead.

Yet even in these desperate times, the ‘junta’ refuses to let in more help. They have been asking for international aid, but without the accompanying aid workers required to facilitate these rescue and support missions.

Cyclone 'Nargis' has caused untold destruction in Myanmar

As the nation’s condition worsens, the ‘junta’ is coming under more and more pressure from international bodies and nations to take stock of the situation. They recently had to arrange for foreign diplomats to tour the cyclone-affected areas, in order to pacify foreign officials and international bodies. Even in this case, the ‘junta’ decided which areas these delegates would inspect.

All the politics and inefficiency are ultimately telling on the people of the nation, who are suffering in fear and neglect. The common man is not allowed to voice his opinions; neither can he hope for a better life or at least a means of survival. The international media is allowed limited access to places in the country, with the ‘junta’ providing admission to only those areas and issues that it wants highlighted. In such a scenario, there is very little chance for change, unless a third party steps in. That is where the mass media comes into the picture.

Some of the people rendered homeless in Myanmar have to beg by the roadside for their daily meals

For years the mass media has been referred to as the ‘watchdog of society’, but there have been very few incidents in recent times that justify this title. Yet, cartoons like the one discussed above are reiterating the role of the media in a positive light. Such media content goes a long way in showing that the media is indeed taking note of situations like that in Myanmar, prompting a dialogue for political reform and social change.

This is instrumental in sending a strong message to ‘leaders’ like those in Myanmar, warning them that they are been watched closely.

After all, donning a military uniform does not just suggest the gaining power and control; it also signifies a sense of responsibility towards the people of the nation. When used in any other manner, especially to strike terror and fear in the hearts and minds of innocent citizens, it becomes nothing more than a shield for a cowardly bully.

It is therefore the duty of the mass media, as the ‘watchdog of society’ to lash out at such inefficient governors in the best way it can – through its wide-reaching content. It has to become the voice of the silent masses, aiding those that cannot speak up for their rights and assisting those who want to speak up. That is ‘real’ power, the power of the media. Something that does not lie in locked in a uniform, but can be unleashed by the mind alone. Something that does not cripple the people it serves, but instead enables them to strive for a better life.

• Helping Hands

Pint-sized News

The advent of the new media has ensured that there is a whole new wave of media content available for consumption by users. What is interesting to note is that this content is not always generated at the hands of professional media persons, but can also come from regular citizens looking to upload ‘news updates’ and the like.

In this day and age when computers, cameras and mobile phones have become handy gadgets; it is no surprise that people are finding it extremely easy to upload all kinds of content on the Internet – at the mere click of a button. Everything from election videos to drunken party pictures can end up on the Internet at various websites.

The popularity of social networking sites such as ‘Face book’ and ‘My space’ have made it relatively easy for content to be passed around the world, whether it is of relevance or not being immaterial. Further, discussion boards are being used to send messages and post comments about this content.

Discussion boards about various issues have become commonplace today

We are now living in an era where the world has become so close that everyone knows about everyone else, more importantly they want to know. No matter how trivial the matter, people are happy to devote time and energy to reading, watching and listening to updates about it. We are truly living in a ‘global village’, where nothing can be hidden from anyone.

Although all of us are affected by this new phenomenon, the softest targets are celebrities and public figures. Nothing they say or do can ever be private, with dozens of cameras and recorders willing to record their actions and words for the world to enjoy.



Wasted Prince = Wasted News Space

A classic example would be the British royals. Prince William and Prince Harry have been in the spotlight quite regularly in current times, mostly for the wrong reasons. Recently, Prince Harry was photographed pushing a photographer and later trying to maintain his balance, while allegedly in a drunken stupor. The incident was splashed across the Internet, with a discussion board on a website carrying a series of pictures, with supporting text, highlighting the activities of the prince. The headline read, “Prince Harry royally drunk”. The caption that followed stated, “Oh those British Royals… such an interesting lot, eh? Just weeks short of his deployment to Iraq, Prince Harry had to get his swerve on and chase a little tail.”

One of the pictures that was splashed across the Internet, and then endlessly discussed by one and all

A discussion ensued, with viewers commenting on the state of the prince, his regular place in the news and so on. But surprisingly there were some people who spoke of how trivial the matter was and how this could happen to anyone at all. Yet, these were the very people who accessed this website, saw the pictures and actually felt the need to leave a comment.

This just goes to show that there is actually an audience for this kind of content and they are therefore being catered to. The demand for this ‘news’ just goes to show that we are headed towards a state where news will consist of only sensational content like this one. Yellow journalism is already taking over the main, more serious news; but with the inclusion of user-generated content and citizen journalism, there might be no place for the real issues to feature as news.

This is indeed a sad state of affairs. After all, the mass media has a definite role of informing the public and shaping public opinion. That is being completely undermined by the wide availability and fast consumption of petty ‘news’ and unimportant content that is cluttering the mass media today.

It is high time that the digital movement was channelized to facilitate the good of society. If used in a way to assist the traditional media in promoting content that is of actual use to the public and serves them well, the new media could change the face of communication for the better.

But ultimately it is demand that will shape the course of the media content in the future. Hence, it is for us to decide whether we are willing to initiate a change now or lose out to the glamour of technology forever.

• Drunken Dilemma