Freedom of speech is a fundamental right. In every democracy, media has an important role to play. It is granted freedom and it has to give a true picture of events to the public. The public too can express thoughts and make use of their freedom of speech.
However in most countries, the government sets up censor board to monitor the media in the interest of the people and the nation: newspaper, magazines, books, films, television, etc. If the government exercise control than the media can misuse the freedom for commercial gains.
The censor board has to see that there is no distortion of the truth or misinterpretation of the fact. Rumors are not exaggerated or spread. The media has to be careful in the portrayal of crime, violence etc. While reporting facts it has to be careful that crime is not glamorized. Books, films and television serials
should not show violence and crime. Poor quality films sometimes show obscurity, vulgarism, violence, crime, etc. It has an adverse effect on the minds of the children and the youngsters. It should not encourage the children to imitate what they hear or see in their real life and thus increase the crime rate.
Sometimes the politicians misuse the media for their benefit to promote their selfish interests.
They are also to report nothing but the truth. However sometimes the truth is too harsh to digest and has to be diluted in the interest of the public. It arouses negative emotions and thoughts like anger, frustration, depression, hopelessness, etc. Truth on the other hand educates the public about the harsh realities of life. One can become more cautions and responsible.
News editors have to be very selective and careful in publishing news. They have to keep many factors in mind. They have to keep in mind the interests of the society, the nation and the political scenario. While it should not be hidden or diluted, bad news can be softened. Hence the censor board can play a very useful role in the interests of the society.
Sports are given a lot of public attention and sports persons are highly paid for their activities. What sacrifice do the sports persons have to make?
Sports are a part of our daily life and it also provides good entertainment. Sports are greatly encouraged by schools and educational institutions and also by the government.
Each nation has its own national game. The people of different countries have different preference. For instance in India hockey is its national game but it is also true that cricket is more popular among Indian public. In fact cricket is very popular in countries like South Arica, Australia, Pakistan, and West Indies. In USA it is rugby and soccer.
The sports persons bring glory to their nation when they get victory. The corporate houses as well as individuals give a lot of gifts to the winners of the match to boost their morale or to award their efforts. Many matches carry attractive prizes and the players become rich overnight.
Media too glamorizes sports. Advertisements, magazines, newspapers give too much publicity to sportspersons. They are portrayed as heroes or film stars. They are given offers to act in advertising films and even commercial films. They are invited to inaugurate functions.
Because they are treated as superstars, the public’s expectation is too high and thus they often remain under great pressure. In the event of defeat, they have to face the public’s anger, which can sometimes endanger their life. They are expected to perform well at the time. They have to put in great number of hours o hard work.
The other sportspersons don’t receive much publicity. They don’t receive the limelight. This is unjust. All sports should get equal importance.
Sometimes children try to copy them blindly though they may possess no rea talents and neglect their studies. Parents put pressure on their children into sports helping they will become famous one day.
Often a career in sports is short lived. They cannot pursue a separate careei seriously. The sportspersons often have to sacrifice their education or professiona career. Sometimes an injury or an accident can change their career graph anc they have to retire quite young. They are unable to live in anonymity.
I think that sportspersons are portrayed iarger than life. Sports should be given importance for its benefits like exercise and physical health. Sports should be taken in a more healthy sense. When undue importance is given to sports it invites problems like interference of politics or match fixing as it happened in cricket involving many cricketers of some countries.
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