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.
Yes. Unfortunate situation in our news media today. Weโre fed opinions nowadays and not objective/ unbiased news.
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The days of unbiased news are gone, Satyen!
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Yes. Everyone is busy pushing their convenient narratives. Great writing as always ๐
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Thanks a lot, dear. ๐
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Youโre welcome ๐
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Canโt agree with you more on this! I try my best to keep away from the news because even a little glimpse at it, puts me on a bad mood.
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True, Nathi. It is best to stay away from false propaganda!
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Certainly!
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Yeah, who cares? We’ll never learn.
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No. We refuse to learn.
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Profound.. Absolute truth very skillfully presented Punam…. ๐๐ผ๐โค๐
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Thanks a lot, dear. ๐๐คโค๏ธ
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This is a very prevalent and unfortunate state of affairs almost everywhere. Well said!
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Yes Sadje, everywhere! Thanks a lot.
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Youโre welcome ๐
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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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So true, Ivor! It is sickening the way they push their agenda.
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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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It is so sad, Kate! We are not performing well at all! And the rubbish these news channels dish out!!
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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!
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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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Indeed, Tracy! I will check the article you mentioned. I am sickened to the core at the lies mouthed so glibly.
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I read the article, Tracy. I don’t know if the book will be available here on the 19th but would surely like to get my hands on it.
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Hope you do. โค
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Aptly said.
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Thanks, dear.
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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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Really worrying! Falsehood reigns.
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
News .., by Punam
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Thanks, Reena.
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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 ๐
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I know, Radhika! Those days were different. With round the clock news channels, anything goes!
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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 ๐
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Thank god most of us don’t watch it regularly or we would be a bunch of crazies!!
Thanks a ton for the ‘wows’ ๐โค๏ธ
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You’re so welcome to my wow’s–I have tons, as they don’t seem to be among the “shortages” ๐ 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 โค
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I am so glad you have tons of wows! I am assured of a lifetime supply then. ๐
You are right, some are addicted to news. Right now anything can trigger the spiral downwards.
Love back to you. โค๏ธ
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Oh yes, a lifetime of WOW’s!! Zero calories, and they boost immune system and self-esteem ๐ โค
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๐โค๏ธ๐ค
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๐
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Like you, there are days when Iโm fed up and canโt stand watching the news and there are other days when I canโt NOT watch the news.
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We will all go crazy if we watch it daily!
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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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I think it is the same story everywhere! Very disheartening.
Thanks a lot, dear.
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So true Punam….all the news channels are bought nowadays….and I feel so bad about the migrants…. it pains to think what they must be suffering….
Take careโค๐น
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I know…watching them fills my heart with despair!
You too, dear…take care. โค๏ธ
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๐น๐นโคโค
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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 โฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
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Aww! Your love means so much! Thank you, dear Rachel.
Thank you for understanding. โค๏ธโค๏ธ
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โค๏ธโค๏ธ
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somedays I read the news and other days I read Punam poetry,
striking a balance has been easy, thanks to the three Ps
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You flatter me, ESP! But I will believe you. โค๏ธ
Three Ps??? ๐ค
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prompts, poetry and Punam
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Lol ESP! Perhaps now you will believe that I missed you!
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๐. โค๏ธ
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Ah I hate TV altogether. A great fuss disturbing people mentally and emotionally.
Like the way you stated your thoughts.
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Indeed, it does mess with one’s mind.
Thank you. ๐
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Pretty dope!
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Indeed! Thank you.
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Punam this is really touching and very unfortunate !!
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So it is!
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