



Golden Age of News Reporting

The Fall and Rise of Fake News

World over, the history courses speak about the ‘propaganda machinery’ which was at work when Hitler came to power . A complete control over what people can view or rather what people are really shown, in true sense encompasses the definition of propaganda . The Nazis used this quite effectively to percolate their anti Jews policy. The world from that period onwards became a different place to live in.





Understandably television, radio and newspapers were at the helm of delivering updates and news to the masses. The likes of Hitler were the ones who realised and understood the importance of having complete control over the media ( television , radio and newspapers ). They were in way the early adopters and peddler of the fake news. The term fake news is however a very recent phenomenon and back then it was all about ‘Propaganda’ . The period from 1933 to 1940 is often regarded as the darkest time for the media. The rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany was possible due to the ultimate control over the press. The post Cold War scenario wasn’t any different either, but one can say that it was still a propaganda in a subdued manner when compared to the times with Hitler’s rule.





Post 1960s, the idea of democracy almost guaranteed the freedom of press. The age of democracy and freedom of speech dawned upon us. This resulted in the rise of prominent journalists who could now question the world leaders and ask tough questions. Newspapers, radio channels and magazines created the much desired impact and garnered responses from public. In a way media had come full circle and the original purpose of media was somewhat achieved. Also, one cannot deny that even with full freedom to express, there must have been some control exercised by the ruling governments over the press. Baring the Far east giant China, most of the world countries allowed media to grow without much control and interference.

Speaking in the Indian perspective, the time of Emergency was when people in India for the very fist time witnessed complete control of the ruling government over the fourth pillar of democracy. Though Emergency was the need of the hour ( This can be argued) , the impact of it on the lives of millions of Indians cannot be ignored.

Think about this — What is the age when your political ideologies and senses gain momentum ? At best when you are in your late 20s?

Now consider that the current PM of India, Narendra Modi, RSS Chief- Mohan Bhagwat and many more like them, during the time of emergency were in their late 20s! Belonging to the right wing ideology, they must have gained tremendous insights and understandings on how to use media to deliver pre-defined content and make people believe in whatever narrative one wants to deliver. In a way for RSS and BJP, the emergency period provided them with the right understandings of the impact of media on lives of people.

The rise of RSS backed BJP and Narendra Modi to power back in 2014 has not been less than a sensation in the Indian political scenario. The kind of mandate he received was never witnessed in the history of Indian politics. This was almost the tipping point for the Indian media. Just prior to the elections in 2014, the world saw a rise in the new age digital media.

Facebook and Twitter for delivering news.

The rise of Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp etc made delivery of news a very instant affair. Majority of the news houses were now online and India was fast becoming a digitally informed nation. BJP and RSS were now in a position where in they could optimally utilise the knowledge they had acquired on how to effectively manage the media. They could now use the power of social media, news channels and other mediums to their full benefit. Move over propaganda, the age of ‘Fake News’ is here. Essentially propaganda and fake news are both same in their end purpose, its just the way in which they are implemented differs. I leave it to the readers to decide if a complete control over media is the way forward or we should go back to the times wherein the journalist had the power to question and raise fingers at the ruling oparty.

Let’s not forget, even today there is a considerable population in their late 20s who are now perhaps witnessing the effects and advantages of effective media control!

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