Media: A Boon or A Doom?

Never in the history of Andhra did the death of a political personality bring so much upheaval, which is now being witnessed at the death of Dr. YSR. A pall of gloom descended on everyone when the helicopter carrying Chief Minister and four others went missing on September 2 about 9; 30am. For some time, there were rumors in the media that he was safe and was lost in the thick forest. Most of the political personalities expressed their hopes of his safe arrival in different news channels. There was lot of confusion as some news channels reported that the CM's helicopter had an emergence landing and that he was coming by walk through the jungle. While others reported saying the CM is kept in a safe place for safety reasons. Finally it was declared officially that the CM was missing. The mystery seemed to have been unraveled after 23 hours, after all the Telugu News channels reported that the helicopter was found but still there was suspense of his safety. As soon as the reports of finding the helicopter came everybody was relieved and some already started to celebrate his second coming. However, just after one hour it was official declared that the Chief Minister died in a helicopter crash. Shock and grief engulfed the people of Andhra and the global world over the death of a charismatic leader. DR. YSR was a great personality who was farmer-friendly and pro-poor. He was called "Apara Baghirath [Today's Baghirath] for the number of irrigation projects he proposed. He worked for the up-liftment of women and other weaker sections of the society, especially the Minorities. His contribution to the UPA government in the centre by winning 33 Lok Sabha seats and to the state of Andhra Pradesh is praise worthy. However, the enormous number of deaths being reported every day due to the death of Dr. YSR brings to light the darker side of media. Media is certainly a very influential medium which should be used to influence the people in a positive and fruitful manner. But why are the people going so mad because of this death. Some of them died of heart attack while watching news of YSR's death. Many of the youngsters and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by him committed suicide. Should the hype created by electronic media be blamed for these deaths? As if this is not enough there are recent reports saying some people want to build a temple on his name, place his idol and worship him. I think this is ridiculous. Media was certainly very helpful and useful at a time when everyone was anxious to know the welfare of the Chief Minister. However, if at all the deaths reported by media were truly due to the death of DR. YSR then the media should be blamed for it.