PEOPLE SPEAK: Readers demand objective reporting
I feel that bombardment of bad news these days is the result of our own mistakes. We ourselves are responsible for any good or bad action that’s reflected in the media. Taking into consideration, the present situation of the country, everyone is looking forward to good news rather than bad.
— Pariwesh Lama
Let’s not deny that triumph in any form must go through pitfalls. And here lies journalism’s endeavour to prove its worth. Otherwise its role will be subjected to nepotism, favouritism and vice that would belittle the profession. Every time we glance through the paper we search for true information. Let’s not be hypocrites and live in the world of myths. Gone are the days when we thrilled ourselves with exaggerated anecdotes. Till date your esteemed daily has boldly mirrored everything that is worth mentioning for today’s alert citizens to keep them well informed. Darker sides of things are obviously stark realities. It’s ridiculous that we’re not able to accept it. Needless to say, guilty ones are reprimanded and bro-ught to book in the right time thereby educating masses. If they are bad news, then such news must be welcomed, as they are eye openers.
— Pankaj Mech
A core essence of the freedom of Press lies in serving the purpose of people’s inalienable right to information. In this sense, the news should so far as possible be presented without any distortion. News should be news at first. All it matters is its adherence to the truth and relevance. Such news fortifies people with understanding and awareness to impeding changes, twists and developments in a rationally applicable fashion. The rest, like its quality of being good or bad, remains a matter of secondary concern. Moreover, it is diminutive to considerably take in the news with its sentimental and sensationalistic perspectives, rather than with its factual and prospective ones. Therefore, there is nothing like our getting used to bad news. Rather, depiction of real picture of the goings-on would enlighten them about their roles in society as responsible citizens of a nation. After all, we all should be prepared to live with the realities that surround us.
— Andrew Rai
It is true that we’ve gotten used to bad news only. Since the last few years our media has been bombarding bad news only, but the media itself is not to blame. It is the situation of our country that should be the prime concern of any media. Of course, we need more good news. After all, that’s what will encourage us to move on ahead with times.
— Pashupati Shah
I always wish to hear good news. I no longer long to hear news that will disturb my state of peace. Sensational news might be scoops for media mavens, but at the same time they are unavoidable. But it would be better if good news were also given the same importance.
— Sindhu Duwadi
What we need today is a consensus of opinion. The media too should help propagate the spirit of co-existence, mutual understanding and a sense of love and sympathy towards fellow citizens. News in itself is not bad or good, but the way in which they are projected by the media is. The media should know its role in the turbulent times that we are in.
— Surendra Pandit
Nepal is facing one of the most turbulent times in its history. And the situation is getting more worse by the day. I am a Nepali student studying aboard and am concerned about the well being of the country and its citizens. The war that has been going on in Nepal for the last decade has finally placed the country in an even more perilous position. Media should know the role that it has been playing. Rather than enticing people to destruction and devastation, it should be more objective in disseminating information without any prejudice.
— Sandesh
The media today concentrates on presenting news of hatred and violence. The everyday lives of the millions of people, the simple joys that make life worthwhile living, are never presented in the media. At a time when everyone is groping for meaning, and wondering where the world is headed, it might be worthwhile to remind us all of the good things that still exist.
— Glenn
Bad news unfortunately turns to be good news for a news reporter because it attracts the sentiments of general people and increases supply of the paper. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that it perverts the conscience of general mass. We are used to bad news these days, but it is not in any way good for people and the country in general.
— Sarada Ghimire
What newspapers write should be a current reflection of society. Fallacies and bias therein are of cautious concern. Since today’s information age goes for what the mass wants, so news has to be in favour of the general people. However, objectivity should be the bedrock of journalistic practice so that news and information are not distorted to pander to vested interests.
— Pushkar Baral
It’s no big deal to hear bad news today. In fact we have become accustomed to bad news. But we’d obviously like to see more good news in the days to come. Actually bad news is only a boon to the racket makers.
— I-Use
There is a wise saying in Nepali that ‘good deeds are not heard of, but bad deeds are’. I believe this is the reason why we always hear more bad news than good news. The other logic is perhaps there are more do-badders than do-gooders. However, we are really fed up of hearing bad news such as deaths and destruction. What we’d like to hear instead is about development and nation building.
— Dawa Sherpa
I am a student in Austria and bad news from Nepal always ruins my day. I always wish and pray that peace be restored in Nepal so that finally we can hope to come back to our own country and live with our own people. I look for good news rather than to see and hear about bloodshed.
— Sunanda
Sometimes it is very annoying to hear the same gruesome news over and over again. However, that doesn’t lessen the importance of the news whatsoever. It’s always important to rescue the victims and raise voice for the voiceless.
— Sankalp
It is not the question of good news or bad news as long as news is reported objectively. The importance of the news depends on how truthfully they are reported and not exaggerated pointlessly. I strongly believe the news published by any newspaper or media should be crystal clear in projecting the actual image of society.
— Saurav Shah
When the entire nation is reeling under anarchy perpetrated by lunatics, one cannot remain aloof from it. Newspapers are full of bad news, but it is the journalistic principle to report events objectively.
— Manish
I particularly have a different opinion about news, and I believe that whether they are good or bad news should be factual. News should not be distorted with adjectives, and it should be entirely left on the readers to infer its significance. News are the source of knowledge, it has a tremendous power to influence the thoughts of people.
— Prakash Amatya
Yes, we desire to read good news than bad. But it is not possible for media to report good news only just because readers like it. Media has its own responsibility and they function accordingly. However, it should be the main concern of the media to act wisely and disseminate right information.
— Eklaxmi Nepal
We have been bombarded so much with bad news that we have lost our sensitivity to empathise with the most gruesome of happenings. Most of us have even started ignoring news that sounds uninteresting.
— Sumnima Khatri
Bad news spreads faster than wildfire. These days, all we get to hear is bad news and surprisingly we are more receptive of such news than good ones. If we are constantly exposed to bad news, then there’s no telling what kind of an effect it will have on us. Media is accountable for the dissemination of news — whether good or bad, the choice is theirs. Apparently, bad news has a negative influence and may instil negative inclinations. Good news like success stories, achievements, need to be emphasised more often so that it inspires people to emulate them. Therefore, I would prefer good news to the bad ones and appeal to the media for the inclusion of more and more of good news.
— Lunkiri
News means fact. So even if its not pleasing, it’s the fact going on around us. I personally think that at least a newspaper should have good news to prevent the last rays of hope from being put out.
— Suzee
Bad news is of course good for the newspersons. I remember when I used to enjoy news, but now it only makes me sick.
— Bineet
No one likes to hear bad news anymore in Nepal. In the last 14 years, we have been used to bad news but there must be an end to it. We have been fed up by seeing and hearing these horrid news and would like to have a a new era , where peace and prosperity can ould exist in Nepal.
— Raju
News is news either it sends across a bad message or a good one. Every body has an interest to be informed about good news, but one shouldn’t either run away from reality. It’s the duty of the media to report about the events, whether they may be to the good taste of the readers or bad.
— Indu
All news cannot always be good news. The news is always based on an incident. However, if it is good news a person generally develops a positive attitude, and negative if it is bad news. Good news is also a positive sign that development or something beneficial is taking place in a country. Good news makes everyone feel very happy, pleased and also encourages every citizen of a country to be good and do well in day-to-day life.
— Tsering Tashi
Browsing through newspapers every morning, we rarely see any good news but a pile of bad news that torment us. We seem to be used to bad news and are compelled to believe that only bad incidents are stuff that news should be made of, no good incident can be news. In case of local papers, they even curb the good news so that they have more sales. Such papers isolate readers from the real fact. Newspapers are the mirrors of society and the nation, so they should report truthfully with due regard to other aspects that are equally important.
— Dilip Dachhepati