News

~ paeansunplugged

Some days I shun news

(like the plague or should I say covid 19 now)

on others, I am a news junkie

zombie like watching the flickering screen

letting the incessant babble attack me from all sides

getting teary-eyed and raging by turns

being a willing puppet

to the machinations of paid media

carried away by the insincere rhetoric

And yet there are days

when I watch the daily tamasha* for amusement

like a bystander

same information disseminated differently

by those who support the official policies and the opposition

the righteous table thumping and fist pumping

criticism cutting to the quick

and conveniently legacy issues raised

it is a challenge to separate the truth from the gobbledygook

no one really bothered about the real affairs

scoring points, projecting concerned persona

more pronounced now than ever

my amusement turns to distaste

when the unfolding tragedy of migrants

fails to stir anyone to action

so many killed everyday, this way or that…who cares!

we are eventually just statistics

to be either bandied about

or pushed under the proverbial carpet.

*tamasha : a fuss or commotion.

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #135

61 thoughts on “News”

  6. The media is run by rich moguls and corporate powers to advocate their own greedy agenda and needs…..plain and simple propaganda to cover up their manipulative corruption…….

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  7. I was drifting along enjoying your gobbledygook and then POW you hit me with such a profound observation!
    Hit me in the solar plexus and it resonates … why are we so vicious! We really do need to get our act together on migrants, refugees and homeless … how we treat these people reflects how we value life. And sadly we are not performing too well at all …

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      1. I honestly haven’t watched them for years … it’s pure sensational propaganda. I read the headlines online and seldom open the article.
        I really don’t know how people cope with such tons of rubbish dumped on them … but still people watch!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. There is a PhD thesis (or a lifetime of work) in this topic, Punam. Rutger Bergman’s book “Humankind: A Hopeful History” is getting some press here at the moment. There is an article on it in The Guardian if you are interested. I thought I might read it.

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  10. The total silence on failure shows both conspiracy and fear. I see FB accounts being blocked, vocal bloggers chucked out of employment and the company suddenly parroting certain lines where those are not needed.

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  12. While as a kid I used to watch news on doordarshan every day, I now shun away from the so called news aired these days. Back then, everything about it was genuine and most importantly there was no blaring of breaking news 😉

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  13. Wow wow wow, well done, Punam! I really can’t do the news much–for the reasons you’ve eloquently stated here…it basically just makes me crazier than I was the day before 🙂

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      1. You’re so welcome to my wow’s–I have tons, as they don’t seem to be among the “shortages” 🙂 I think some people are addicted to “news”…maybe they’re immune to craziness; but as for me, I prefer “faith messages” that keep me UP–it’s too easy for me to spiral down, otherwise. Tonight I understood how it is that a lot of people seem to just “snap” under continued pandemics stress (or any relentless stress). I never mind being alone…until suddenly the pile of “little” things topples. Lots of love to you ❤

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I am so glad you have tons of wows! I am assured of a lifetime supply then. 🙂
        You are right, some are addicted to news. Right now anything can trigger the spiral downwards.
        Love back to you. ❤️

        Like

  15. Sadly Punam..same thing happen in my own country…news organizations feed the ignorance and fear of people…i hate it when they make money out of sensationalized news and out of people’s ignorance..

    Well said Punam

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  17. So relatable dear friend, i see the passion in your heart in this poem, the frustration and sadness with the state of the media and the heartlessness of many. Sending love to you ♥️♥️

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  21. Pingback: Reena’s Exploration Challenge #136 – Reena Saxena

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