Media & Discourse

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MEDIA

Minorities and their representation:

In the capitalist democracies of the West, the means of mass communication are owned by a handful of media barons & corporations, all driven by the profit motive. Choice of subject matter, treatment of contentious issues, direction of mainstream discourse are all determined by the interests and priorities of the state & corporate elites. The mass media has become a potent instrument for creating and sustaining a worldview that protects the privilege and power of these elites. Information embarrassing to the elites will be filtered out or distorted and the mass media is increasingly turning into a tool for distraction or indoctrination.

In the West, minority groups are only allowed to operate on the fringes. There is little opportunity to put their own views forward or challenge the treatment of controversial issues. Worse still, minorities tend to be misrepresented and stereotypes perpetuated. They may only enter mainstream discourse within prescribed boundaries. The establishment consensus must not be disturbed. Unless there are alternative sources of objective and balanced information, one is at risk of being swayed and seduced by the pronouncements (and banalities) of establishment intellectuals and market-serving ‘experts’.

While there are Asian owned papers (mostly weeklies) in Britain on Asian news and features, by and large they play it safe steer away from controversy. Asian MPs do the same. What we need is to create an autonomous space for our own discourse and to present an alternative treatment of important issues, past and present. If we find a shroud of ideological bias draped over these issues, it is up to us to lift it and reveal the truth beneath that liberates and empowers.

Europeans have long regarded themselves as superior, Christian, civilised etc to justify conquest and exploitation. But western civilisation in the 21st century is damaged, Christianity is in decline and economic heavy weights in Asia are shifting the balance of power. In defence, the West is patrolling its borders as never before, Muslims are the current demon while racism is on the rise. Issues of social and racial justice should be our special concern. We need to understand race & immigration issues, culture & identity, media behaviour, role of the state, etc.

On the historical front, we need to reveal little known (including dishonourable) episodes in Church and Imperial History that have been whitewashed or suppressed in the official accounts. We also need to present insights from our own theologians and social critics – Asian & others. Their thoughts and interpretations have long been ignored by the Euro-American media.

Role of journalists

The media in the West today is a strange beast. The media's main function is to indoctrinate the people, distract them and keep them out of active political participation. Only the establishment view of the world is considered 'objective', the journalist must refrain from giving his or her own personal view! By surrendering their own opinion, professionals are said to be politically neutral in their work.

Media & the State

The media consistently propagates an image of the West as a force for good

- the ‘West’ sets the global agenda;

- it stands for freedom and democracy

- the West is never terrorist and largely above international law.

Media & big business

The national media are owned by wealthy individuals or trusts. These all operate through profit seeking companies which in turn may belong to larger parent companies or conglomerates.

Media & the people

The western mass media remains the single most potent instrument for shaping people’s views. It pretends to be devoted to the truth and dedication to public service. So when we read the papers or view TV, we may innocently believe that we are receiving an honest account. This is not the case.