Andhra Talk: Should We Call It Kamma and Reddy Media?

Truth, unbiased approach, edifying write ups and representing the voice of people are the key factors to be followed by news media. But is today's media following that? If violating, to what level? How the people are reacting to that change? Many say that News Papers are now the pamphlets of political parties. Others say that News Papers are running on caste basis. Some say electronic media is going commercial. Others say the same electronic media is blackmailing for bucks. But what is true and how far true? Here is a peep into the cognitions of people.

Now the new angle is, like politics even the media is drawing a line say 'Kamma' and 'Reddy'. It is needless to say that these two communities are powerful both politically and financially. As per majority's opinion both are loggerheads from quite long time. So should we call that 'Kamma and Reddy Media'? Breaking the monopoly of Eenadu and Andhra Jyothy, now Saakshi and Surya are hitting the state.

Here are the perceptions from different segments of citizens.

"Yes, it's a socio-political war between Kamma and Reddy. Each one wishes to show its strength and win on the other. TDP is dominated by Kamma and Congress by Reddys. So they have their own party and now same News Paper. What is wrong in that?" says Narayana Rao, a Tea Stall owner. When asked about News Paper ethics, he said, "What are those? Taquatwala zithegaa aur humara tawajju hai koun jeetegaa. Uske oopar akhbaar se kuch aur pane ka jyada maksad nahee rahegaa haumara (mighty will win. Our interest is to see who wins. Above that we have no intention to get more from media)".

An MBA graduate says, "For the first time I'm hearing about ethics in media. Business has no ethics. There will be only statistics. As long as people agree media is a business, they shouldn't talk about ethics".

But I feel there is nothing to do with this Kamma and Reddy story. We have many Reddys in TDP who react wildly when Congress throws cold water on Chandrababu Naidu. Nagam Janardana Reddy is the best example. We also have Kamma leaders in Congress who fire on TDP when YSR is demeaned. Lagadapati Rajagopal is the best example. So, it's all the point of supporting the hub or person that's giving livelihood for them. Even going back into the history there used to be many Muslims in Chatrapathi Sivaji's army. Similarly Muslim kings used to have Hindu warriors in their troops. They sacrificed their lives for their masters fighting with the opponents of their own community. But still History pictured Sivaji as Hindu emperor who groaned Muslim kings. That's wrong. So, it's all trash to say about 'Kamma' and 'Reddy' factor. After all, we are living in democracy. The state politics will not end with only Kamma and Reddy.

It's only the fight between TDP and Congress. If TDP withdraws its support for Eenadu it starts eulogizing Congress. If Nookarapu Suryaprakasa Rao is not given any support from Congress he may write in favor of TDP in 'Surya'. So, the style of News Papers in Tamilnadu is going to come in AP in 2008, say many.

One interesting thing to be observed is that Eenadu didn't mention a line about KA Paul's criticism on Chandrababau Naidu. But earlier, when Paul had thrown cold water on YSR, there were big headings saying, "YSR Ku Pedda Debba'. This is another example to say that Eenadu's Pro-TDP and Anti-Congress approach.

So, we have to wait and see in 2008 (after Saakshi is launched) how far these opinions hold well.