Chandra: It would help me if you could clarify your idea. It sounds like you propose to take up stories that mainstream media has, essentially, left behind. You would create discussion areas for these areas on a web site. You would produce TV segments on issues that generate the most discussion. Then, you would take on the most pressing issues by proposing and executing real-world solutions.
Is that a fair summary? If so, what exactly is the role of "the crowd and the associated power of the people," as you put it? Do they determine which forgotten headlines get picked up again? Do they do the journalistic legwork necessary to advance the stories? How do your participants create value?
Dear Keith
That was quick...
Let me see if I can get this ...The answer for the first part is Yes.
What will the crowd do? They will get on to this platform, and in a variety of areas (business, politics, sports, social etc), will track the issues that they want to be knowing more about...the portal will get the RSS feeds...for which ever sites still are tracking it...We keep count of the number of people on each of the news item and also ask the people to rate the importance (to justice, policy change, etc)...
Then those news items which are most followed ...that is the ones people want to know more are feed to the news channel (with which we propose to tie up)...then they run...which create a secondary stream of interest...
What value the crowd brings...just that...the sheer numbers ...the critical mass that is required to keep the 'torch on an issue' lest darkness takes over it....
Then we plan to do a host of other things...we are working on it...and I will keep you posted..
Dear Keith
That was quick...
Let me see if I can get this ...The answer for the first part is Yes.
What will the crowd do? They will get on to this platform, and in a variety of areas (business, politics, sports, social etc), will track the issues that they want to be knowing more about...the portal will get the RSS feeds...from which ever sites still are tracking it...We keep count of the number of people on each of the news item and also ask the people to rate the importance (to justice, policy change, etc)...
Then those news items which are most followed ...that is the ones people want to know more are feed to the news channel (with which we propose to tie up)...then they run...which create a secondary stream of interest...and importantly ensures a 'public pressure' on the issue resolution
What value the crowd brings...just that...the sheer numbers ...the critical mass that is required to keep the 'torch on an issue' lest darkness takes over it....
Then we plan to do a host of other things...we are working on it...and I will keep you posted..
Firstly, this idea will only target minority groups as most of the Mainstream Media follows on many of the major issues publicized. As I see it, the ideas that your website seem to promote will require support of many minority groups. Secondly, how will you reach these groups (mass population) given the fact that a major percent of the population does not have proper access to the Internet????? Could you also give me an example of an issue that would be publicized on your website??? What issue has the media left behind in recent days/weeks that your website might take on board?????
Let me first tell you that this was very good comment.../ question...
Let me first take the second question..The media's reach is much more than internet...but that is changing fast...internet penetration is going up. But, that is not (the only thing) we are banking on...Now once, we can get some 'crowding' on the website for any issue, we will have the 'information feed' to a channel which will take it up. (Please see our comments below). Now, opinion of the internet connected communities, will ensure that the (main stay) media 'again' takes up the issue. This would in turn mean that for a large population the issue comes back to focus.
Now I am not sure what you would mean by minority groups...if by this, you mean 'crowding that happens on certain issues...I would not use the word minority....for we are attempting to make these minority significant voices.
* As I understand you are not going to find solutions /arbitrate solutions yourself. You will only facilitate solutions through Detailed Research, NGOs, monetary aid, law enforcement organizations etc.. This is good.
* Echocing somebody's comment: Take a case study of some / any past event that got forgotten by mainstream press, courious to see how you visualize ForgottenHeadlines.com's impact on outcome should it have existed at that point in time (bringing the true picture earlier, saving time, saving precious lifes, force discussion & hence prevent recurrence etc..)
* You may want to define your "target issue domain" bit more specifically - Asia, Politics, Social etc.. and out of scope domains. You will soon run thin on the number of experts you need to follow issues or to do research.
Also, in my opinion, some problems may just not have solutions..(Are there really such issues??).. In such cases, media trials may end up aggravating the problems. Will you have mechanisms to drop such items?
I like the idea though. Good to have a moral policeman for the fourth estate :)
First and foremost sorry for the delayed response...looks like somehow we missed out on this...
Yes, we will be operating as a not for profit entity... just to make sure that we are not carried away by the same pressures that media is under these days...
Let me just take a small issue. We will try to stick to a non-social one. Let us take the case of what the nation was gripped with say 6 months (or so back)...the Indo US nuclear deal. It almost looked like the Govt. will fall. Most (we have no issue standing corrected here) had no idea...except for a vague understanding...of what this Nuclear deal was all about. And then the claims - all kinds of things flying around - independence from fossil fuels, ability to get to new technologies, 1000's of jobs, and what not. Now, an issue which was so vital to this nation just 6 months back...not a word about it anywhere, now......If we were following this issue through our portal, 'the crowd' would try to keep the focus on this issue...and follow if the nation gains all that was said it would......by 'public opinion garnering process'.
Now let me take another example. When was the last you (by you, we mean people in general) heard of the multi crore fake stamp paper scam...If we had a mechanism by which we could enable media refocus on where this issue is dont you think we would be (slightly) better off?
Yes you are right, we are in the process of making it India centric first...and then depending on how it goes, take it elsewhere...
The purpose of such a site would be served if you could facilitate affirmative action. How?
And if the sheer volumes increase, how would you ensure forgottenheadlines doesn't forget headlines themselves? Through the masses themselves, you say?
There are many groups, that are started for specific issues, like, "Youth for Change" against the reservation issue. You might consider integrating them.
Your concept is really interesting and required in the current global scenario, but hoping the information provided to your site would be transparent and accurate, eventually which you will be publishing. As most of the information will be suppressed by the politicians and powerful guys in the society. your site need to provide the information above all these people, where common people can trust the media and look them from positive perspective.
Mouli, would you like to tell me where exactly in the entire system would bring the change by your concept where we are currently living and accepting the things. ie., the starting point for the change?
Nice question, considering the fact that we in India have close to 70%+ in the rural areas...Now, if you have seen the concept, we are talking about justice and policy, changes...Now, justice, we feel is 'location invariant' that is it doesnot have a rural or urban angle to it....if there is a issue of justice that needs to be pursued it will be done here. Which brings us to the questions, what if the issue is rural centered...that is it never gets the coverage (read as never will be the headlines) and hence never get to ForgottenHeadlines. We feel that the process of creating a 'follow up to the headlines, and taking issues through their logical process and end' will be by itself a deterrent ...ensuring that such things dont happen (!!...well make it minimized) in any which context (rural or urban)..
I think you have a valid point, when you talk about the utility of this whole thing to the rural people...considering that we have a ~70% population in that segment...
I guess what you are saying is that rural issues (mostly pertaining to justice) dont ever make it to the headlines in main stream media. Here I would like to submit that, once we are able to put in place a process, where the powers that be know that issues can't be brushed away, by banking on media's short time interests, we would eventually send across a strong message. This would (hopefully and surely) bring about a more pervasive change - be it in rural or urban context.
Coming to policy matters, I would think that the same logic would still hold good...
Mr Mouli
It is indeed a good opportunity for the people to know about things and to clarify them selves .....my doubt is will all people as u say crowd reaches this .....ie; they should be in reach of internet services, they should know about ur services, and most of all to browse and reach is difficult...........can you tell how are you going to reach them who are in remote places or who still do not know to use internet services... I say if u are going to reach them ...its going to be a success....looking forward.
regards
Mr Mouli
It is indeed a good opportunity for the people to know about things and to clarify them selves .....my doubt is will all people as u say crowd reaches this .....ie; they should be in reach of internet services, they should know about ur services, and most of all to browse and reach is difficult...........can you tell how are you going to reach them who are in remote places or who still do not know to use internet services... I say if u are going to reach them ...its going to be a success....looking forward.
regards
I think that in part I have answered that question elsewhere here...
But let me just tell you, the issues that plague our society have been doing so for quite some time and I dont see a dramatic change happening in near future (not that I am negative or anything like that, but using a simple extrapolative approach). But technology and its reach are fast changing, that is mobile, internet are fast making deep inroads. That I guess in part answers your questions.
Its great to see someone has really taken efforts work on things that are important but are suppressed or ignored. Nice to hear that there is a dias to raise our voice and remind the media that we are awake and watching their actions.
I have an example for you: Gem granites is a chennai based company which saw that there is a lot of granite available at a GOVERNMENT LAND in Bijapur district of Karnataka. They just went there and started digging and selling billions worth of granite. One honest commissioner (Madan Gopal, IAS) uncovered this open loot. Commissionar was transferred from that place immediately. News papers covered this incident for 2-3 times and once we got to read an explanation from the owner of Gem granites (he is the same person who accounted 200 crore expenditure in Jayalalitha's son's marriage) that he is donating part of the profits to poor in the surrounding area. I dont get to read anything about that case, media is silent. Gem is digging granite on the GOVERNMENT LAND from many many years!!
how fair is media? why they suddenly forget important issues, why they ignore social justice?
Yes you are absolutely right...there are a number of such cases; we could just turn pages of 'yesterday's news headlines' and we will be surprised at the rate at which issues have been 'forgotten'.!!
We just thought that we should add this, because some of the people with whom we had conversed over the phone/corspnd over mail, did want to know about these, though they may not have come and left the comments per se here...
(a) is this some kind of a similar thing as a RTI (Right to Information): The point is RTI is, what we can say 'static information', that is there is information regarding an issue or a case that is posted/updated, but that is about it. But on ForgottenHeadlines, we can do much more than that, one of which is infact demand more information, and also the kind of information that has to be probed further, which would be consequential for purpose of justice/policy change - and all by the people.
(b) How effective can this be in a country with low literacy? - Over a period of time we are expecting the penetration of this whole process, as driven by a combination of TV, internet and mobile, to reach critical levels which could definitely make a difference.
(c) Are we here to monitor the media? We are not here to monitor media or anything like that, we are just trying to see how along with media we could enable the whole process of policy changes and social /individual justice.
You idea is indeed praiseworthy. However, I wonder how practical it would be.
While it is important to follow issues to conclusion, we also need to bear in mind the business models/revenue models that news channels follow. If you happen to belong the generation that saw Doordarshan being the only news channel till India's liberalisation, you would remember that people used to spend atleast 30 minutes a day to catch up with what's happening around them. Now we have many news channels, there is stiff competition between news channels for TRPs. But we don't have time to really sit and watch the news. Frankly, I myself spend less than 2 minutes watching any news on TV - that too when I notice something of relevance to my scheme of things is being covered. Post liberalisation, we must accept that people have become more self centered, we don't really have time nor interest to be bothered about things that don't have direct impact on our lives. May be this is the reason news channels are forced to rely on sensationalism to keep their businesses running.
Therefore, when you are going to have half or one hour program to follow up with yesterday's news, would I be interested in watching it? Honestly, most probably no. I know half the story of what happened yesterday, it's something I have noted, and I have decided to move on. I would be more interested in seeing what's happening now - that too if it's something that has an impact on me - and I have 2 minutes to know about it. may be this is the price of "information overload" that we now go through.
Having said this, I am sure there are a large number of people who need their problems to be aired and followed up. And your idea will give them hope that their needs will be looked into. The question is, how will you balance the need for TRPs and spirit of journalism.
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time for posting this nice and insightful comment, the contents of which have been taken note of by us.
This information overload that you are talking about is very valid. But let us just stop and take what you yourself said into consideration - the reason that people sat through 30 min of Doordharshan is because, they provided (though some claimed partisan) news ...operative word being news. Now we come to today's channels, what are they pumping us with...little news, more sensationalism and more importantly lots and lots of (meaningless) opinion. They are spending more time in helping us with our opinion forming process...rather than providing news (data and information) and leaving the opinion making to us. In the process, what you are getting, is, what we may daresay, 'unnecessary information overload'.
Now, coming to what you said, about those who watch TV for 2 min; even those 2 min, we are sure, they would want to seek 'a thread in the issue and the issue pursued logically'. We watch for 2 min (with a lot of interest) an issue "X" and the next day find that that X is now no where to be found, could be surely frustrating.
We, through this portal, are trying to make a small beginning to a process; which we are sure will take a lot of time and effort of diverse groups and partners to make a meaningful change.
We hope we could answer (at least in part!!) your questions/issues...
Mr. Chandramouli,
One of the main reasons for this appears to be political interference. This is due to corruption at all levels. It is difficult to root out this malady. Only solution appears to be making the future generation non-corrupt. For this the education system should play a great role.
Forgotten headlines also appear to be part of the system. It would be a good beginning to pursue the head lines to their logical end.
Yes, we 101% in line with your line of thinking...Through this portal we are saying that, people are kept in the dark by 'some kind selective mechanism' that the media applies...read as sensationalism, will get an opp. to 'act'. We feel that people can act in responsible ways, only when they have the information; and objective information in conjunction with public opinion could act as a powerful mechanism for justice and policy change and also a deterrence mechanism ...
The idea is good. How effective it will be in a corrpt society is to be seen. It is difficult to root out corruption. Only education is the hope for doing this. It would be a good beginning towards that end. Good wishes for the job taken up.
We are hoping that these kind of initiatives will change the world...we mean make the world less corrupt....Yes the initial toil is going to be high...
Very good initiative. Useful for common man who is always conveniently ignored in the scheme of things designed by the media and the so called powers in government and business.
How do you plan to do the follow up actions on happenings around the country?
Have you considered the need of research teams knowing different languages?
Sudhir
Thank you for your very useful comments and feedback...
We are presently going on an assumption that the national headlines is what we shall act upon...that is headlines which would appear in most of the papers across the nation...But over the next phases we will be moving into a regional concept/model
Hi!...Nice to know that someone wants to take up the cause of the common man....I mean more than just making them stand in the flood lights for a few minutes, to gain TRP...
But, my question to you is how is your concept going to be different from the various blogs that already exist...say Rediff's blog which kind of collects individual opinions on various current issues...
Two, to actually know about an issue, one can also Google right...I mean, we could know something on an issue...say Noida killings...My question therefore is how are you different from this...or put otherwise, what value add do you bring in...
Three, can people proactively take up issues here...
Questions, apart, I really wish you and your team a grand success...we need something like this in this country..
Thanks for your feedback...We will try to see how best we can answer your questions...
Your first issue/question was how we are different from Rediff or any other news blog? Well at Rediff or similar places you can leave your comments or react to others comments on a current issue...and that is about it...As far as we know, you can do nothing more (nothing less). We are not talking about just leaving comments...we are talking about a whole loop....News Item Reported...Followed...People Express their Need/Desire for more action/information etc...Media takes it up again..Progress made...More people follow it...TILL we get to some meaningful point...
Second, I guess the previous paragraph in part answs your question 2.
Coming to people able to take up issues proactively...we are planning to have a facility for this...but not initially...
We thank you for your comments and feedback...and more importantly wishes...
Media and internet together I am sure will be able to bring about lasting changes... With increasing penetration of internet; if it can synchronously work with print and TV media, the process of information gathering, and opinion aggregation are bound to move to a better orbit...
have to commend you on coming up with this pathbreaking idea. This platform could be the ideal marriage of the power of public opinion aggregation of the internet and the power of news gathering & broadcasting reach of the media.
The question of the reach of the internet and the level of education of the masses is moot as these are dynamic factors and are poised for positive growth. The success of the idea would lie in getting public opinion to focus on issues that are important for the common man rather than on glamorous and sensational issues. ( dont you think the root of sensationalism in media is the general human tendency in this fast track world to live by 'today' and focus on instant pleasures derived out of carnal/ sensational happenings and voyourism ? add to this the fact that most people are too self centred to bother with following something that does not have a direct bearing on their lives ).
Monitoring and channeling of public opinion by a team of dedicated and unbiased panel of journos/intellectuals could help address the above problem to an extent and keep the torch on the important issues which need resolution through continued pursuing. This I am sure has already been taken into consideration.
I find that the idea has been well thought out and the goals quite well defined.
I wish the idea and the project a great success in bringing positive change to the world around us.
Yes we are hoping that, unlike in the TV where the topic & content are outside the 'reach' of the viewer, here the user will provide definite pointers towards which topics and along what lines the information is required..By this we mean, the 'crowd' chooses from the topics that were covered and chooses from it, which in totality will help to channelize the public opinion in a more focused way...
Comments
Chandra: It would help me if you could clarify your idea. It sounds like you propose to take up stories that mainstream media has, essentially, left behind. You would create discussion areas for these areas on a web site. You would produce TV segments on issues that generate the most discussion. Then, you would take on the most pressing issues by proposing and executing real-world solutions.
Is that a fair summary? If so, what exactly is the role of "the crowd and the associated power of the people," as you put it? Do they determine which forgotten headlines get picked up again? Do they do the journalistic legwork necessary to advance the stories? How do your participants create value?
Thanks,
Keith
Dear Keith
That was quick...
Let me see if I can get this ...The answer for the first part is Yes.
What will the crowd do? They will get on to this platform, and in a variety of areas (business, politics, sports, social etc), will track the issues that they want to be knowing more about...the portal will get the RSS feeds...for which ever sites still are tracking it...We keep count of the number of people on each of the news item and also ask the people to rate the importance (to justice, policy change, etc)...
Then those news items which are most followed ...that is the ones people want to know more are feed to the news channel (with which we propose to tie up)...then they run...which create a secondary stream of interest...
What value the crowd brings...just that...the sheer numbers ...the critical mass that is required to keep the 'torch on an issue' lest darkness takes over it....
Then we plan to do a host of other things...we are working on it...and I will keep you posted..
Regards
Mouli
Dear Keith
That was quick...
Let me see if I can get this ...The answer for the first part is Yes.
What will the crowd do? They will get on to this platform, and in a variety of areas (business, politics, sports, social etc), will track the issues that they want to be knowing more about...the portal will get the RSS feeds...from which ever sites still are tracking it...We keep count of the number of people on each of the news item and also ask the people to rate the importance (to justice, policy change, etc)...
Then those news items which are most followed ...that is the ones people want to know more are feed to the news channel (with which we propose to tie up)...then they run...which create a secondary stream of interest...and importantly ensures a 'public pressure' on the issue resolution
What value the crowd brings...just that...the sheer numbers ...the critical mass that is required to keep the 'torch on an issue' lest darkness takes over it....
Then we plan to do a host of other things...we are working on it...and I will keep you posted..
Regards
Mouli
would like to see the impact of this concept in third world/developing countries
Firstly, this idea will only target minority groups as most of the Mainstream Media follows on many of the major issues publicized. As I see it, the ideas that your website seem to promote will require support of many minority groups. Secondly, how will you reach these groups (mass population) given the fact that a major percent of the population does not have proper access to the Internet????? Could you also give me an example of an issue that would be publicized on your website??? What issue has the media left behind in recent days/weeks that your website might take on board?????
Let me first tell you that this was very good comment.../ question...
Let me first take the second question..The media's reach is much more than internet...but that is changing fast...internet penetration is going up. But, that is not (the only thing) we are banking on...Now once, we can get some 'crowding' on the website for any issue, we will have the 'information feed' to a channel which will take it up. (Please see our comments below). Now, opinion of the internet connected communities, will ensure that the (main stay) media 'again' takes up the issue. This would in turn mean that for a large population the issue comes back to focus.
Now I am not sure what you would mean by minority groups...if by this, you mean 'crowding that happens on certain issues...I would not use the word minority....for we are attempting to make these minority significant voices.
* As I understand you are not going to find solutions /arbitrate solutions yourself. You will only facilitate solutions through Detailed Research, NGOs, monetary aid, law enforcement organizations etc.. This is good.
* Echocing somebody's comment: Take a case study of some / any past event that got forgotten by mainstream press, courious to see how you visualize ForgottenHeadlines.com's impact on outcome should it have existed at that point in time (bringing the true picture earlier, saving time, saving precious lifes, force discussion & hence prevent recurrence etc..)
* You may want to define your "target issue domain" bit more specifically - Asia, Politics, Social etc.. and out of scope domains. You will soon run thin on the number of experts you need to follow issues or to do research.
Also, in my opinion, some problems may just not have solutions..(Are there really such issues??).. In such cases, media trials may end up aggravating the problems. Will you have mechanisms to drop such items?
I like the idea though. Good to have a moral policeman for the fourth estate :)
Dear Mr.Laks
First and foremost sorry for the delayed response...looks like somehow we missed out on this...
Yes, we will be operating as a not for profit entity... just to make sure that we are not carried away by the same pressures that media is under these days...
Let me just take a small issue. We will try to stick to a non-social one. Let us take the case of what the nation was gripped with say 6 months (or so back)...the Indo US nuclear deal. It almost looked like the Govt. will fall. Most (we have no issue standing corrected here) had no idea...except for a vague understanding...of what this Nuclear deal was all about. And then the claims - all kinds of things flying around - independence from fossil fuels, ability to get to new technologies, 1000's of jobs, and what not. Now, an issue which was so vital to this nation just 6 months back...not a word about it anywhere, now......If we were following this issue through our portal, 'the crowd' would try to keep the focus on this issue...and follow if the nation gains all that was said it would......by 'public opinion garnering process'.
Now let me take another example. When was the last you (by you, we mean people in general) heard of the multi crore fake stamp paper scam...If we had a mechanism by which we could enable media refocus on where this issue is dont you think we would be (slightly) better off?
Yes you are right, we are in the process of making it India centric first...and then depending on how it goes, take it elsewhere...
Thanks a lot for your comments...
Regards
Veena & Mouli
The purpose of such a site would be served if you could facilitate affirmative action. How?
And if the sheer volumes increase, how would you ensure forgottenheadlines doesn't forget headlines themselves? Through the masses themselves, you say?
There are many groups, that are started for specific issues, like, "Youth for Change" against the reservation issue. You might consider integrating them.
Mr. Mouli
Your concept is really interesting and required in the current global scenario, but hoping the information provided to your site would be transparent and accurate, eventually which you will be publishing. As most of the information will be suppressed by the politicians and powerful guys in the society. your site need to provide the information above all these people, where common people can trust the media and look them from positive perspective.
Mouli, would you like to tell me where exactly in the entire system would bring the change by your concept where we are currently living and accepting the things. ie., the starting point for the change?
Prasad
mouli your idea is excellent. i have a question how it is you useful for rural people
Dear Srikanth...
Hi!
Nice question, considering the fact that we in India have close to 70%+ in the rural areas...Now, if you have seen the concept, we are talking about justice and policy, changes...Now, justice, we feel is 'location invariant' that is it doesnot have a rural or urban angle to it....if there is a issue of justice that needs to be pursued it will be done here. Which brings us to the questions, what if the issue is rural centered...that is it never gets the coverage (read as never will be the headlines) and hence never get to ForgottenHeadlines. We feel that the process of creating a 'follow up to the headlines, and taking issues through their logical process and end' will be by itself a deterrent ...ensuring that such things dont happen (!!...well make it minimized) in any which context (rural or urban)..
Mouli
Dear Mr.Srikanth
I think you have a valid point, when you talk about the utility of this whole thing to the rural people...considering that we have a ~70% population in that segment...
I guess what you are saying is that rural issues (mostly pertaining to justice) dont ever make it to the headlines in main stream media. Here I would like to submit that, once we are able to put in place a process, where the powers that be know that issues can't be brushed away, by banking on media's short time interests, we would eventually send across a strong message. This would (hopefully and surely) bring about a more pervasive change - be it in rural or urban context.
Coming to policy matters, I would think that the same logic would still hold good...
Regards
Mouli
Mr Mouli
It is indeed a good opportunity for the people to know about things and to clarify them selves .....my doubt is will all people as u say crowd reaches this .....ie; they should be in reach of internet services, they should know about ur services, and most of all to browse and reach is difficult...........can you tell how are you going to reach them who are in remote places or who still do not know to use internet services... I say if u are going to reach them ...its going to be a success....looking forward.
regards
Mr Mouli
It is indeed a good opportunity for the people to know about things and to clarify them selves .....my doubt is will all people as u say crowd reaches this .....ie; they should be in reach of internet services, they should know about ur services, and most of all to browse and reach is difficult...........can you tell how are you going to reach them who are in remote places or who still do not know to use internet services... I say if u are going to reach them ...its going to be a success....looking forward.
regards
Dear Ms.Lakshmi
I think that in part I have answered that question elsewhere here...
But let me just tell you, the issues that plague our society have been doing so for quite some time and I dont see a dramatic change happening in near future (not that I am negative or anything like that, but using a simple extrapolative approach). But technology and its reach are fast changing, that is mobile, internet are fast making deep inroads. That I guess in part answers your questions.
Regards
Mouli
Its great to see someone has really taken efforts work on things that are important but are suppressed or ignored. Nice to hear that there is a dias to raise our voice and remind the media that we are awake and watching their actions.
I have an example for you: Gem granites is a chennai based company which saw that there is a lot of granite available at a GOVERNMENT LAND in Bijapur district of Karnataka. They just went there and started digging and selling billions worth of granite. One honest commissioner (Madan Gopal, IAS) uncovered this open loot. Commissionar was transferred from that place immediately. News papers covered this incident for 2-3 times and once we got to read an explanation from the owner of Gem granites (he is the same person who accounted 200 crore expenditure in Jayalalitha's son's marriage) that he is donating part of the profits to poor in the surrounding area. I dont get to read anything about that case, media is silent. Gem is digging granite on the GOVERNMENT LAND from many many years!!
how fair is media? why they suddenly forget important issues, why they ignore social justice?
Thanks a lot for your comments...
Yes you are absolutely right...there are a number of such cases; we could just turn pages of 'yesterday's news headlines' and we will be surprised at the rate at which issues have been 'forgotten'.!!
Hopefully we will make a difference...
Regards
Mouli
We just thought that we should add this, because some of the people with whom we had conversed over the phone/corspnd over mail, did want to know about these, though they may not have come and left the comments per se here...
(a) is this some kind of a similar thing as a RTI (Right to Information): The point is RTI is, what we can say 'static information', that is there is information regarding an issue or a case that is posted/updated, but that is about it. But on ForgottenHeadlines, we can do much more than that, one of which is infact demand more information, and also the kind of information that has to be probed further, which would be consequential for purpose of justice/policy change - and all by the people.
(b) How effective can this be in a country with low literacy? - Over a period of time we are expecting the penetration of this whole process, as driven by a combination of TV, internet and mobile, to reach critical levels which could definitely make a difference.
(c) Are we here to monitor the media? We are not here to monitor media or anything like that, we are just trying to see how along with media we could enable the whole process of policy changes and social /individual justice.
Regards
Mouli & Veena
Dr. Mouli,
You idea is indeed praiseworthy. However, I wonder how practical it would be.
While it is important to follow issues to conclusion, we also need to bear in mind the business models/revenue models that news channels follow. If you happen to belong the generation that saw Doordarshan being the only news channel till India's liberalisation, you would remember that people used to spend atleast 30 minutes a day to catch up with what's happening around them. Now we have many news channels, there is stiff competition between news channels for TRPs. But we don't have time to really sit and watch the news. Frankly, I myself spend less than 2 minutes watching any news on TV - that too when I notice something of relevance to my scheme of things is being covered. Post liberalisation, we must accept that people have become more self centered, we don't really have time nor interest to be bothered about things that don't have direct impact on our lives. May be this is the reason news channels are forced to rely on sensationalism to keep their businesses running.
Therefore, when you are going to have half or one hour program to follow up with yesterday's news, would I be interested in watching it? Honestly, most probably no. I know half the story of what happened yesterday, it's something I have noted, and I have decided to move on. I would be more interested in seeing what's happening now - that too if it's something that has an impact on me - and I have 2 minutes to know about it. may be this is the price of "information overload" that we now go through.
Having said this, I am sure there are a large number of people who need their problems to be aired and followed up. And your idea will give them hope that their needs will be looked into. The question is, how will you balance the need for TRPs and spirit of journalism.
Dear Mr.Reddy
Hi!
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time for posting this nice and insightful comment, the contents of which have been taken note of by us.
This information overload that you are talking about is very valid. But let us just stop and take what you yourself said into consideration - the reason that people sat through 30 min of Doordharshan is because, they provided (though some claimed partisan) news ...operative word being news. Now we come to today's channels, what are they pumping us with...little news, more sensationalism and more importantly lots and lots of (meaningless) opinion. They are spending more time in helping us with our opinion forming process...rather than providing news (data and information) and leaving the opinion making to us. In the process, what you are getting, is, what we may daresay, 'unnecessary information overload'.
Now, coming to what you said, about those who watch TV for 2 min; even those 2 min, we are sure, they would want to seek 'a thread in the issue and the issue pursued logically'. We watch for 2 min (with a lot of interest) an issue "X" and the next day find that that X is now no where to be found, could be surely frustrating.
We, through this portal, are trying to make a small beginning to a process; which we are sure will take a lot of time and effort of diverse groups and partners to make a meaningful change.
We hope we could answer (at least in part!!) your questions/issues...
Regards
Mouli & Veena
Mr. Chandramouli,
One of the main reasons for this appears to be political interference. This is due to corruption at all levels. It is difficult to root out this malady. Only solution appears to be making the future generation non-corrupt. For this the education system should play a great role.
Forgotten headlines also appear to be part of the system. It would be a good beginning to pursue the head lines to their logical end.
Dear Mr.KS Mouli
Yes, we 101% in line with your line of thinking...Through this portal we are saying that, people are kept in the dark by 'some kind selective mechanism' that the media applies...read as sensationalism, will get an opp. to 'act'. We feel that people can act in responsible ways, only when they have the information; and objective information in conjunction with public opinion could act as a powerful mechanism for justice and policy change and also a deterrence mechanism ...
Thanks and regards
Mouli & Veena
The idea is good. How effective it will be in a corrpt society is to be seen. It is difficult to root out corruption. Only education is the hope for doing this. It would be a good beginning towards that end. Good wishes for the job taken up.
Dear Mr.KS Mouli
Thank you very much
Mouli
Dear Mr.KS Mouli
Thanks once again for your comments...
We are hoping that these kind of initiatives will change the world...we mean make the world less corrupt....Yes the initial toil is going to be high...
Regards
Mouli
Very good initiative. Useful for common man who is always conveniently ignored in the scheme of things designed by the media and the so called powers in government and business.
How do you plan to do the follow up actions on happenings around the country?
Have you considered the need of research teams knowing different languages?
Sudhir
Dear Mr.Sudhir
Thank you for your very useful comments and feedback...
We are presently going on an assumption that the national headlines is what we shall act upon...that is headlines which would appear in most of the papers across the nation...But over the next phases we will be moving into a regional concept/model
Yes, we will be having multi lingual support.....
Regards
Mouli
Dear Mr.Mouli
Hi!...Nice to know that someone wants to take up the cause of the common man....I mean more than just making them stand in the flood lights for a few minutes, to gain TRP...
But, my question to you is how is your concept going to be different from the various blogs that already exist...say Rediff's blog which kind of collects individual opinions on various current issues...
Two, to actually know about an issue, one can also Google right...I mean, we could know something on an issue...say Noida killings...My question therefore is how are you different from this...or put otherwise, what value add do you bring in...
Three, can people proactively take up issues here...
Questions, apart, I really wish you and your team a grand success...we need something like this in this country..
Sailaja
Dear Ms.Sailaja
Thanks for your feedback...We will try to see how best we can answer your questions...
Your first issue/question was how we are different from Rediff or any other news blog? Well at Rediff or similar places you can leave your comments or react to others comments on a current issue...and that is about it...As far as we know, you can do nothing more (nothing less). We are not talking about just leaving comments...we are talking about a whole loop....News Item Reported...Followed...People Express their Need/Desire for more action/information etc...Media takes it up again..Progress made...More people follow it...TILL we get to some meaningful point...
Second, I guess the previous paragraph in part answs your question 2.
Coming to people able to take up issues proactively...we are planning to have a facility for this...but not initially...
We thank you for your comments and feedback...and more importantly wishes...
Regards
Mouli & Veena
Hi.... i think it is a awesome innovation....
Media and internet together I am sure will be able to bring about lasting changes... With increasing penetration of internet; if it can synchronously work with print and TV media, the process of information gathering, and opinion aggregation are bound to move to a better orbit...
Will
All the best
Deepika
Dear Ms.Deepika
Thank you!!
We are also hoping that internet and media can work together to provide some meaningful solutions...
Regards
Mouli & Veena
Dear Chandra and Veena
have to commend you on coming up with this pathbreaking idea. This platform could be the ideal marriage of the power of public opinion aggregation of the internet and the power of news gathering & broadcasting reach of the media.
The question of the reach of the internet and the level of education of the masses is moot as these are dynamic factors and are poised for positive growth. The success of the idea would lie in getting public opinion to focus on issues that are important for the common man rather than on glamorous and sensational issues. ( dont you think the root of sensationalism in media is the general human tendency in this fast track world to live by 'today' and focus on instant pleasures derived out of carnal/ sensational happenings and voyourism ? add to this the fact that most people are too self centred to bother with following something that does not have a direct bearing on their lives ).
Monitoring and channeling of public opinion by a team of dedicated and unbiased panel of journos/intellectuals could help address the above problem to an extent and keep the torch on the important issues which need resolution through continued pursuing. This I am sure has already been taken into consideration.
I find that the idea has been well thought out and the goals quite well defined.
I wish the idea and the project a great success in bringing positive change to the world around us.
Regards
Prabhakar D
Dear Mr.Prbhakar
Thanks a ton for your comments and feedback!!
Yes we are hoping that, unlike in the TV where the topic & content are outside the 'reach' of the viewer, here the user will provide definite pointers towards which topics and along what lines the information is required..By this we mean, the 'crowd' chooses from the topics that were covered and chooses from it, which in totality will help to channelize the public opinion in a more focused way...
Thanks once again for your inputs...
Regards
Mouli & Veena
Dear Mr.Prbhakar
Thanks !!
Regards
Mouli & Veena