Molitics Facebook Ban- क्या ये Digital Emergency है? LIVE
Sanjay Sharma: Government's Control Tactics
Sanjay Sharma details how the government uses tactics like issuing vague 'national security' threats to shut down channels, as happened with 4 PM. He recounts being summoned and told he was violating journalistic norms for reporting critically on foreign policy. Sharma emphasizes that he and his team will not compromise their integrity, even facing financial hardship, and will continue to question the government's actions, comparing the situation to a king demanding his subjects call night 'day'.
Hemant: Propaganda Ministry and Jobless Youth
Hemant suggests the Information and Broadcasting Ministry should be renamed 'Propaganda Ministry,' drawing parallels to Hitler's Germany. He argues that laws like Section 79(3)(B) of the IT Act are misused to block critical content while allowing misinformation and hate speech to flourish. He also links these actions to job creation policies, suggesting the government aims to create a class of unemployed youth dependent on them for political mobilization.
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: Corporate Media's Surrender
Dr. Srivastava criticizes the corporate media's 'shameless surrender' to the government, contrasting it with the pre-2014 era when media, despite its own issues, at least reported on scandals like the 2G scam. He argues that the current media's alignment with corporate interests and the government has crippled the flow of independent information, weakening democracy. He likens this to a body lacking essential nutrients, making it vulnerable and prone to illness.
Nivedita: The Power of Journalism and Resilience
Nivedita asserts that dictators come and go, but journalism endures. She emphasizes that 'Molitics' is not just a page but a 'thought' and a 'journalistic spirit' that will find ways to continue, even if pages are banned. She finds it amusing that actions are taken against mimicry videos while original critical content remains, and questions the definition of 'fake news.' She concludes that if reporting government news is anti-national, then the government itself is anti-national, dismissing the current actions as a mere 'drama' that won't last.
Hemant: Government Tactics Backfire
Government attempts to suppress information by banning pages or taking legal action often backfire, as they create curiosity among the public, leading to wider dissemination of the content. This is likened to a spring being compressed, only to rebound with greater force. The speaker suggests that such actions are a form of harassment designed to impede journalists' work.
Pankaj: Media's Evolving Role
The role of mainstream media has shifted from its historical function of scrutinizing government actions to one that shields and promotes the government's narrative, especially before elections. This is contrasted with the pre-2014 era where media outlets actively exposed government flaws. The speaker argues that this shift is driven by factors like government advertising and a desire to maintain a favorable public image for the ruling party.
Nivedita: Shadow Bans and Reach Reduction
Beyond overt bans, there are subtler methods like 'shadow banning' and 'reach restriction' used to suppress content and reduce visibility on platforms like Facebook. Despite these measures, the page managed to achieve significant reach, indicating the limitations of such tactics. The speakers express determination to continue their work, create new pages, and fight legal battles, asserting that suppressing voices is futile.
