Media Freedom: Myth Or illusion?

But is this true? Is media really free?
Or is media freedom illusory and a bit of a charade? If so, what are the constraining factors that militate against media freedom-globally, locally? Media or the fourth estate is supposed to have many functions- one of these is to check power and abuse of power especially by the state. This very function places the media at odds with the state. 

The problem is compounded by the fact that media is dependent on advertisement revenues- both state and non state. So, by virtue of this dependency, media freedom can be compromised. This is an in your face power that the state has in terms of constraining media freedom. The state can be more subtle in altering the policy of media; while stopping ads is the obvious mechanism but this can be obscured by other means.  

 This condition becomes more acute in conflict zones where the state is vested in propounding or at times muzzling discourses and narratives. The state, in these conditions, employs a range of means to either co-opt the media or muzzle it. These means can include overt pressure, threats, harassment or the plain old trick of withholding monies. Free media in these contexts becomes academic. This, however, is not the whole story. There are societal and cultural forces and factors at play too.

 Societal sensibilities and cultural mores, at times, either lead to self censorship by media in deference to these sensibilities. As such, pure freedom of media gets compromised. This is more salient in traditional and conservative societies. In this sense, journalism –print or visual- is easier in the West wherein cultural pressures do not exert such pressures.

In the name of charity

Come the holy month of Ramadan, the so-called charity organizations swing into action for minting money in the name of collecting money for orphanages. It is distressing to see these fake yateem trusts.

The armed conflict in the past two decades has brought miseries to thousands of Kashmiris. It is extremely unfortunate that some unscrupulous persons of our society want to use people’s sympathies as a huge business opportunity.

According to a 2014 study conducted by ‘Save the Children’, a London-based charity organization, the estimated population of orphans in Jammu and Kashmir due to conflict and the natural death of parents is around 2.15 lakh. About 15 per cent of these orphans live in orphanages across the region. The report said that 37 per cent of the orphans lost one or both parents due to conflict. 
An additional 55 per cent were orphaned due to the natural death of parents, and the remaining eight per cent due to other reasons.

Minting money through private donations has been a flourishing practice for the last 20 years. A particular class has seized this opportunity for befooling people.

Every household in Srinagar city witnesses the rush of collectors asking for donations in the name of orphanages. Some come in groups. Others start knocking at the gates or even doors as early as 8 am. The last bell rings a few minutes before Iftaar.
Some have become more sophisticated.

 They use mobile vans, makeshift stalls; and make shrill public announcements asking the faithful to donate generously during the blessed days.
It seems that the so-called yateem trusts (orphanages) have outnumbered the yateems (orphans). Everyone who asks for donations says of being associated with one religious organization or the other. He seems to be a moulvi, at least by his apparel.

I fully support genuine orphanages and other charity organizations seeking the help of people to serve destitute children. What makes me angry is the fraud being conducted in the name of fake orphan homes and trusts.

I am not the only one. I can see most Kashmiris highly resenting this fraudulent practice in our society.

Collecting donations and mushrooming of charitable trusts is not the only trend we Kashmiris are now witnessing. We are confronted with another unique trend.

Even little boys are handed over coupon books for collections. They stop vehicular traffic at busy junctions and collect money. In other words, the muntazimeen (management) are actually training these little angels for begging in the name of religion.

The people whom you find outside your main door during Ramadan are trained, legitimate beggars. Fake orphanages are proving to be a flourishing business for these beggars.

Now please visit these orphanages (if any exist). Many of them are hellholes. According to a rough estimate, orphanages are a 150 crore business (Rs). But no benefits reach the poor, helpless orphans. In a number of cases, the orphanage comprises of only an official address board outside a deserted room in a shopping complex.

The Police have cracked down on some fake orphanages in the past. But the mushrooming of these fraudulent institutions has not stopped. Since
People are also to be blamed for this mess. Those who donate in cash or kind are not interested in knowing whether the donation is being used for the right purpose. This is the principal cause for the mushrooming of fake orphanages, and the active recruitment of children to collect money for them.

It is a common feeling amongst people here that several organizations claim to run orphanages in the Valley. Those who claim that they are working towards the rehabilitation of these orphans are nothing but deceitful outfits trying to mint money.
According to an estimate, 3000-5000 NGOs (that run orphanages) are registered. Of these, only about 25-30 are genuine. This has led to serious apprehensions about their credibility. The safety and security of the orphans in these orphanages is a major issue.

It is a highly alarming fact that the orphans in these orphanages are often victims of abuse and exploitation, trafficking, beating, torture and psychological harm.

Even criminals under the disguise of charity organizations have been looting people. They take advantage of the fact that people want to do charitable deeds in the month of Ramadan, and on the eve of Eid.

A study conducted recently by International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) found that more than 26 per cent of orphans show high level of depression, while 46 per cent of them have average level of depression. “War, fear, death and destruction have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of orphans in Kashmir,” the study said.

Another study conducted by the Department of Education in the University of Kashmir reveals that orphans between the age group of ‘Up to 6 years’ and ‘6-14 years’ live in a state of depression and dreariness.

Another study conducted by the Institute of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs stated that 57.3 per cent of orphans in Kashmir have become fearful, 53.3 per cent suffer from depression while as 54.25 per cent cannot sleep properly.

Media Freedom: Myth Or Illusion?

But is this true? Is media really free?

 Or is media freedom illusory and a bit of a charade? If so, what are the constraining factors that militate against media freedom-globally, locally? Media or the fourth estate is supposed to have many functions- one of these is to check power and abuse of power especially by the state. This very function places the media at odds with the state. 

The problem is compounded by the fact that media is dependent on advertisement revenues- both state and non state. So, by virtue of this dependency, media freedom can be compromised. This is an in your face power that the state has in terms of constraining media freedom. The state can be more subtle in altering the policy of media; while stopping ads is the obvious mechanism but this can be obscured by other means.  

 This condition becomes more acute in conflict zones where the state is vested in propounding or at times muzzling discourses and narratives. The state, in these conditions, employs a range of means to either co-opt the media or muzzle it. These means can include overt pressure, threats, harassment or the plain old trick of withholding monies. Free media in these contexts becomes academic. This, however, is not the whole story. There are societal and cultural forces and factors at play too.

 Societal sensibilities and cultural mores, at times, either lead to self censorship by media in deference to these sensibilities. As such, pure freedom of media gets compromised. This is more salient in traditional and conservative societies. In this sense, journalism –print or visual- is easier in the West wherein cultural pressures do not exert such pressures.