Media and Spirituality

Why is it that the mainstream media in India looks down upon spirituality? Exploration of such themes is either a categorical, “Oh No”, or, at best, is relegated to an occasional weekly column. Worse still, a lot of TV channels – at least in India – have been focussing on religious/ritualistic themes superficially with an eye on viewership ratings. While doing so, the channels focus on the quaint and the exotic. They rarely look at the deeper import of such practices.

The reality is that vast multitudes are practitioners of religion and spirituality (the two are not necessarily the same, though, for the religious, religion is one of the paths to spirituality). It does hold a lot of meaning for them. There is also no doubt that the mainstream media does not reflect this reality, does not even explore it! How come?


My intuitive understanding of “journalistic attitude” to spirituality is that most of us who are in this profession have had “modern education” and, in our formative years, cultivated a “scientific temperament”. Also, in a world scarred by all too obvious inequality and injustice, the notion of a just, benevolent, fair playing God held little appeal. Which, in turn, made us distrustful of religion, God and spirituality? Which, in turn, led to a condescending attitude to ordinary Indians who believed in God and religion? Throw in a dose of “liberal”, western influences – wherein idol worship by the religious Hindus is seen as “irrational” – and you get a modern mindset that abhors exploration of religion in mainstream media. Of course, while there is a general disinclination to themes religious and spiritual, there is a condescending tolerance of minority religions. For, it fits in well with our notion of “secularism”.

While having been a mainstream journalist for many years, I have, of late, been wondering if there are others in the profession too who think that the media has erred in shying away from religion and spirituality? Have we explored with an open mind if and whether those who do the ‘snan’ (holy bath) in the ostensibly – objectively speaking – dirty waters of Ganges feel “purified”? Isn’t the oft repeated saying “mind over matter” relevant? And, if spirituality helps you evolve a more harmonious attitude to the world – and thereby alter ‘your reality’ for the better – doesn’t it deserve a more serious examination?

Would love to hear from you! Take care.