Swine flu: Media test positive for social responsibility

salil85x85.jpg

Salil Jose

They say the media overacted while covering swine flu. They swear the media created panic in the minds of the people. They argue that it is time the media covered events `sensibly`.

But the truth is that journalists never overreact or overplay. They react to events because they are always moved by the spirit of social responsibility. They can`t help it.

The swine flu coverage reveals the power of the media. Various channels succeeded in making the people aware of the disease and how to arm themselves against it.

Media overplayed swine flu panic

We have seen how young journalists report from near the quarantine wards of hospitals where many swine flu affected patience are being treated. They risk the chance of being affected by swine flu. But they ignore themselves when duty calls. And they have covered swine flu with absolute social responsibility.

Critics wonder why the media cover only swine flu while they ignore more fatal diseases that affect the poor sections in the society.

Don't Miss All about Swine flu MADRAS DAY CELEBRATIONS Is this what Independence means? World's largest cupcake STREE: Women's magazine Follow us on Twitter

Unlike other diseases, swine flu has been unknown to a majority of the people. The disease, which was identified as N (H1N1) in April last, has perplexed doctors and governments. Authorities themselves are at a loss as how to tackle it. At this juncture it is natural that the responsible media explore and tell people how serious the situation is and how it can be tackled. No channel can shut itself to such a serious issue.

In fact, the media`s proactive role forced the government look swine flu with the due seriousness.

The channels did their job decently well and, as a result, there is general awareness of the disease among people. If the people now know how to insulate themselves from swine flu or what they should do if one is affected, the credit should go to the media as well.

Do you think media overplayed swine flu panic?

It has been argued that the media create panic among people while covering swine flu. But the argument is far from truth. The media has been trying to dispel people`s fear by various programmes and teach them what to do.

For example, Prannoy Roy of NDTV conducted a panel discussion with eminent doctors. The doctors said that there was no need to panic and gave a number of suggestions. They said there was no need to give Tamiflu to all patients. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad appreciated this positive step from the channel and the next day the Health Ministry changed the swine flu guidelines in sync with the inferences from the discussion.

So if the government claims that it has managed to control the disease, half of the credit should be given to the media.  The media`s sensible action - which critics term as over reaction - has ended on a positive note.

SEARCH