Media plays a very important role in generating public awareness and shaping public opinion. It is regarded as the fourth estate and an important pillar of democracy. With the mushrooming of media around the world– print, audio-visual and social– its role has become even more significant. The manner in which reports are filed and news is disseminated have their impact on public opinion. In an interconnected world, the role of media in influencing foreign policy of states can hardly be ignored.
In South Asia, a region where inter-state relations are held hostage to zero-sum politics, media has a big responsibility in creating an environment of trust and understanding Since the states of the region are socially, historically, culturally and economically interconnected, the role of media assumes even more significance. However, unfortunately, the media in different states of South Asia are yet to show necessary maturity and wisdom in enabling an environment of mutual trust and confidence. The discourses in media are often mired in narrowly conceived nationalist templates which far from bridging differences escalate them causing irreparable harm to regional understanding. While tension and conflict among states and communities find more news space, shared history and culture are conveniently ignored. All this results in media adding to interstate conflicts and increasing the political temperature rather than acting as an agent of change and reconciliation. With the proliferation of audio-visual media in the region and the competition among channels for better TRP ratings, there is often a temptation to sensationalise issues through select reporting.
This is not to say that there is a complete absence of responsible media in the region. Joint media initiatives like the one between the Jang group of Pakistan and the Times group in India to launch Aman ki Asha (Hope for Peace) did try to create an environment of trust to contribute to India-Pakistan peace process. Similarly, the Statesman from India and Prathom Alo from Bangladesh also tried to replicate this exerciseto promote India-Bangladesh relationship. Groups like South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) have also tried to bring together scholars, retired bureaucrats, politicians and media person together in South Asia to promote people to people contact.
Media cannot be looked at as a monolithic entity. There are several layers to it. Moreover, the media is facing several restrictions. There is the issue of media censorship and media freedom. There is also the issue of media ownership— by political parties, interest groups and business houses. With their vested interests the owners sometimes dictate the line a media group would take at the expense of neutrality. The influence of certain institutions on media begs close scrutiny in view of their impact on foreign and security policies of some states. The differences in approach between vernacular and English media and their influence on society and politics is also another area which has not received much critical attention. The social media is assuming importance in most of these countries with the penetration of internet and wider use of mobile phones especially among the youth who constitute a critical mass in South Asia.
Whether it was the case of showing doctored images about fictitious attack on Rohingyas as attack on Muslims in North East; the picture of Shivaji and Ambedkar, which led to violence in Pune in India; or the derogatory message against the Prophet, maliciously circulated in the social media attributing the act to a Buddhist, which led to violence in Ramu in Bangladesh — the social media is playing a disproportionate role in spawning insecurity and violence in the multicultural setting in South Asia.
Given the increasingly significant role played by the media, the 8th South Asian Dialogue being organized by the IDSA seeks to explore the following.
- What role media is playing in shaping public opinion in different countries?
- How does media influence foreign and security policies of states? Is there any difference between the vernacular and English language media in this regard?
- What are the forces influencing media and its approach to regional issues?
- How does media ownership impact reporting by different media houses?
- Does media play a role in promoting jingoistic nationalism in the region? How does it interfere with the process of regional unity and integration?
- Can media play a role in promoting regional understanding and contribute to regional peace and amity?
