India Against Corruption’s demand for passage of a strong Lokpal Bill was not lend adequate voice until Anna Hazare went on fast and thousands joined in his support. Hazare’s fast became a media event not only because he raised an issue that pricks every Indian, but also because people’s movement is lending striking visuals and making good TV. 

But TV too is focused on rhetoric than meaningful discussions on essence of the bill.

If we analyze TV debates, we will notice, more arguments are being made on methodology of the movement than clause-by-clause discussion on the provisionsof the Bill.  Bone of contention between government and Team Anna is more highlighted than the points of agreement. The attacks on the credibility of civil society members are given prominence over the debates on the machinery of Lokpal. Public consultations hardly get any media spotlight but every baseless argumentput forward by Digvijay Singh is played out live. War of words between ministers and civil society members has been more discussed than a detailed analysis of the draft. The fact of the matter is that the spirit of an effective Anti-Corruption body is somewhere getting subdued among the allegations and retaliations. 

It would not be wrong if I say, media is playing a greater role in deepening the crisis rather than resolving it!