Journalism based on gossip or rumors is a form of “terrorism” and media that stereotype entire populations or foment fear of migrants are acting destructively, Pope Francis said.
But most of the magazines and TV channels are surivivng on gossips and key hole journalsim. Movies and film stars news is also attracting the public in a big way.
Francis, who made his comments in an address to leaders of Italy’s national journalists’ guild, said reporters had to go the extra mile to seek the truth, particularly in an age of round-the-clock news coverage.
Spreading rumors is an example of “terrorism, of how you can kill a person with your tongue”, he said. “This is even more true for journalists because their voice can reach everyone and this is a very powerful weapon.”
In Italy, a number of newspapers are highly politicised and are regularly used to discredit those with differing political views, sometimes reporting unsubstantiated rumors about their private lives.
In 2009 several media outlets owned by the family of then-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi came under fire from the journalists’ guild over stories questioning the trustworthiness of a magistrate who had ruled against a company owned by the Berlusconi family.
The stories were filled with insinuations about the way he dressed, including the color of his socks, and the way he took walks in the park.
Even in India there are news organisations which take sides and are some run and financed by the political parties and this is not a new phenomenon. In states like Andhra, Telangana and also Tamilnadu political parteis are running channels for the publicity of their own political parties.
Jayalalitha the CM of Tamilnadu runs Jaya channel. DMK chief Karunanidhi has Sun TV. Similalrily other political parties are also backed by some Channel or the other and they are backed financed by these political parties in return.
