WAR AND TV NEWS

There was a conflict at the India – Pakistan border recently. The news channels went into a frenzy. They got so excited and tried to get the people excited too. It’s their job to report the news but more often they tend to give their opinion and a biased version of the news. It felt like they wanted a full scale war. TV news anchors and members of the discussion panels said the enemy should be taught a lesson they will never forget.

It’s so easy for them sitting in the comforts of the studio to encourage the escalation of war. If these people are forced to go to the border and fight the war they would have a different opinion. When they work for the news channels they put their interests first. It is in their interest that the war escalates because the viewership will increase providing them with all the benefits that come with it.

SAIN PLAZA

Sain Plaza, Kollam

GLOBAL WARMING

I first heard the term ‘Global Warming’ long ago. Scientists used the term to explain that the average temperature of the planet is increasing but for the common person the term would imply that the whole planet is warming up. The average temperature of the planet may have increased but the average temperature of every place on earth has certainly not increased. Some parts of the world were getting warmer but there were other parts that experienced temperatures colder than usual.

Later on, the term ‘Climate Change’ was also used. This term was more appropriate since it would explain that parts of the world could get warmer or colder. This was easier for the general public to understand.

Now both the terms ‘Global Warming’ and ‘Climate Change’ continue to be used. The claim is that ‘Global Warming’ is causing ‘Climate Change’. This may be true but it would be more convincing and less confusing if only the term ‘Climate Change’ is used.

FABRICLEAN

Fabriclean, Kollam

PAID NEWS

I once had a boss who would tell us that we should befriend some journalists so that we can pay him or her to write something favourable about us, our products or our service. He said it was cheaper and more effective than advertising because people tend to believe the news more than advertisements. He already had some journalists helping him in this way.

Later on, I came to know that the media can also be paid to reduce the coverage or even not report news that is not favourable to an organisation.

THREE WHEELER

Three Wheeler, Kollam

CLOSE FRIENDS

Close friendships are usually formed during student days either at school or college. There is a constant and regular interaction between students which helps to form close friendships. It is more difficult to form close friendships during the working days due to increased responsibilities. There is also less interaction with the colleagues. Moreover adults usually find it difficult to form close friendships compared to young people.