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| wise words ::. | | What is the difference between genius and stupidity? Genius has limits. - Albert Einstein. |
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| editorial. | 10/10/02 |
News media - the teacher
The most widely read of written words are those of newspapers and the most widely watched of TV programmes are those of the news channels. Therefore, the news media, whether it be electronic or print, have the greatest impact on the life of the people. However, the majority of the local media persons seem to miss this point as can be seen in the contents of most newspapers and some of our local TV channels.
For example, some local print media are not averse to printing information that is not substantiated, but that could have adverse affects on the lives of some people, even causing, upto a certain extent, social stigma. We are guilty of apathy and indifference towards our news content.
Even this newspaper is not without faults. There have been many instances in which grammatical errors have crept into the news reports and editorial contents. When these mistakes are committed, we realise that we are doing a disservice to the English language and the public.
Likewise, the city's most popular local TV channel is teaching the new generation wrong pronunciation of words like "secretary", "Pakistan" etc. However, these mistakes may have crept in without our knowing it and that we may not even be aware we are committing mistakes since, in the case of the English language, English is not our native tongue.
However, the news media has to know its importance to the public not only in the area of news reporting. It is through this medium that many people's lives are shaped, for the better or for the worse. Therefore, great care has to be taken in the news contents and, in the case of the electronic media like the radio and TV, the pronunciation as well.
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| Copyright © 2002 Newslink |
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