Show foulmouthed politicos their place

By bringing OTT (Over the Top) platforms under the ambit of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Centre appears to be contemplating to regulate social media. It also wants to have sort of content control in intermediaries like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube etc. Experts say that the I&B Ministry would make rules and regulations for OTT platforms since they generate content that is transmitted on OTT platforms as well as other social media platforms like YouTube or Facebook. But in case of Instagram and other such media, the content is not generated by them and hence in case of violation of rules or if any objectionable matter is found, they will be asked to remove the content within specific time and action would be taken if they do not comply with the directions. It is certainly a good move.

Similarly, the government also expressed its intention to go green and reduce carbon footprint by 30 to 35 percent. It wants to increase use of natural gas by four times, achieve renewable energy generation target before time before 2022. Along with all these, there is a need for censorship over the language political parties and leaders (no exception) are using these days whether it is election speeches or routine press conferences, lawmakers who include Ministers and Chief Ministers are forgetting that they should be role models for the people. If people today remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Indira Gandhi, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, N T Rama Rao, V S Atchutanandan or Putchalapalli Sundarayya as great leaders and orators, it is because they never crossed the limits of decency.

They had always criticised the policies of their opponents, exposed the shortfalls in implementation and did indulge in rhetoric as well, but never did they use vulgar language or abuse anyone. They knew where and how to hit and where to stop. Hitting below the belt was a big 'No' for them. But now the language of the present-day leaders has taken a different turn.

All cuss words used by rowdy elements have become part of language used by the leaders both inside and outside legislatures. This virus has entered every nerve of leaders of political parties and State presidents of different parties to such an extent that they insist the media too use such words in print. Another disturbing factor is some sections of media highlights such derogatory language in the name of journalism.

Media, instead of being a tool to disseminate news and analysis, is wasting its time and resources on such trivial abuses and encouraging the so-called leaders. Things don't stop there. Parties are treating newspapers which do not publish their cuss words as unfriendly media. If someone questions them, they say, "Every action will have a reaction." What a justification! Seems all those who go to the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, offer flowers and participate in special prayers on Gandhi Jayanti should be sent for re-orientation classes on Gandhian philosophy so that at least a fraction of them will get "Sanmati" (noble mind).