media seems to be going in a different direction. There is more noise than clarity. There is more emotion than information.
Recent media coverage around Dharmasthala has raised many questions in the minds of the people. What we are witnessing is not just reporting. It seems like a well-planned attack. The tone and language used by some media houses appear to carry an intention to damage the very foundation of a respected system.
We must remember that Dharmasthala is not just a temple. It is a living example of social service, community harmony, and selfless work. The temple has stood firm for decades, helping thousands of people from all backgrounds. Its contributions in the areas of education, healthcare, and rural development are known to all.
Yes, there have been several murders. The people involved may be influential and connected. But does that warrant questioning the integrity of the entire temple? Wrongdoers may hide anywhere. What matters is how the system responds. Over the past ten years, Karnataka has witnessed an estimated 14,000 murder cases, based on official data from the National Crime Records Bureau. On average, the state reports between 1,300 to 1,500 murders every year. These cases arise from various causes such as personal enmity, family disputes, property issues, and occasional instances involving political or organized crime.
This statistic highlights that crime, including serious offences like murder, is a broader social reality and not confined to any one institution or place. Using isolated incidents to target a respected institution like Dharmasthala is both unfair and misleading. What matters is how the system responds, not where the crime occurs.
In Dharmasthala’s case, the Dharmadhikari himself has come forward in support of legal action. He is not running away from the law. He has clearly said that the truth must come out. He has opened the door for investigation. This attitude must be appreciated. It shows faith in the rule of law.
The police and legal system have a duty to act. If they are not doing it properly, then the media should help them. Investigative journalism should focus on finding the truth, not creating noise. Naming and blaming the entire temple and the people working there is not journalism. It is injustice.
A painful example from the past is the 1994 arrest of Mariam Rasheeda, a Maldivian national, which spiraled into the infamous ISRO espionage case. Leading Indian scientists, including Nambi Narayanan, were wrongly accused of leaking space technology to foreign agents. The media amplified the story without evidence, turning respected individuals into targets overnight. Years later, the charges were proven false, and the scientists were exonerated; but only after suffering irreparable damage to their lives and reputations. This case reminds us how media hype, when divorced from facts, can ruin institutions and paralyze national progress.
There have been many such cases in other places across the country. But nowhere was an entire religious institution made the target. Why is it different in the case of Dharmasthala? Is someone trying to create confusion for a bigger reason? Is there a hidden plan to break the faith of people? These are serious questions that must be asked. Let us not forget that our Constitution gives equal space to both religion and justice. They must walk together. The CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) allows action against persons, not against places or beliefs. Criminals must be punished. At the same time, temples must be respected.
If any person within Dharmasthala is found guilty, the law must take its course. No one is above the law. But let us not use this as an excuse to paint the whole institution in a bad light. That is not justice. That is vendetta. India is a country built on faith, justice, and balance. When one side becomes too loud, the other side suffers. Today, what Dharmasthala needs is not noise. It needs support for truth. Let us allow the investigation to move ahead. Let the courts decide what is right. The media has a big role to play. Let it not become a tool for division.
Where Are We Heading in Media?
Media was once known as the mirror of society. It reflected truth, conveyed facts, and told the stories of people. It had the power to inform and educate. It shaped opinions and guided public thinking. But today, media seems to be going in a different direction. There is more noise than clarity. There is more emotion than information.
Headlines have become the main attraction. Social media platforms push stories with bold and dramatic titles. Many times, the heading says one thing, and the story says something else. A small incident is made to look big. A regular event is presented as a crisis. This is done to catch attention. It is done to make people click and share.
The situation has changed a lot in the digital age. People spend more time scrolling than reading. In this rush, headlines become more important than the content. Media houses are aware of this trend. So, they focus on what will spread fast, not what is meaningful. The result is a flood of content that is loud but shallow.
Behind all this lies a well-designed system. It is run by artificial intelligence. These AI systems know everything about the viewers. They know their likes, dislikes, habits, and emotions. Based on this, media platforms decide what to show to whom. Every viewer sees a version of media that is tailored to their personal taste.
In this setup, views and likes are no longer organic. They are not the result of public interest alone. They are created through boosting. Boosting is a service offered by media platforms. It allows anyone to pay money and reach a selected number of viewers. Even if the content is ordinary, it can be made to look popular.
This makes the playing field unequal. A small content creator may have something valuable to say. But their message may not reach many people. At the same time, someone who pays for boosting can appear everywhere. It is like running a race where some people are allowed to start at the finish line. This is not a fair game. When the umpire is fixed, what judgement we can expect from for the truth and true journalism?
This affects trust. When people see that views and shares can be bought, they begin to doubt everything. They ask, “Is this really popular, or is it promoted?” This doubt spreads. It creates confusion. It becomes harder to know what is genuine and what is not.
Another issue is speed. In the rush to be first, media sometimes ignores the need to be correct. Stories are posted without full details. Later, corrections are made, but the damage is already done. Once a wrong story spreads, it is hard to take it back. The harm remains.
At the same time, there is a growing demand for emotional content. Stories that touch the heart spread faster than those that touch the mind. This creates pressure on media houses. They begin to focus more on feelings and less on facts. It becomes a game of emotions.
Media also faces competition from many sides. There are influencers, content creators, and opinion leaders. Each one has their own platform and audience. In this crowd, everyone tries to stand out. So, presentation becomes more important than substance. Loud voices get noticed. Quiet truths are lost.
As people, we have a role to play. We can choose what to watch and what to ignore. We can read more and share less. We can ask questions. We can teach the next generation to think before reacting. These small steps can bring a big change.
Media is powerful. It can shape thoughts and build futures. But that power must be used with care. It must be guided by values. It must serve the people. It must tell the truth.
So, the real question is not about media alone. It is about all of us. Where are we heading? Are we moving towards light or into more noise? The next time we see a headline that looks too big to be true, let us pause. Let us ask ourselves, “What is the full story?” That simple question can make us smarter, calmer, and more aware.
Let us bring back depth to media. Let us restore its dignity. Let us use media as a tool for knowledge, not just noise.
