Mass media plays significant role in bringing changes in the society. The ratio of positive changes caused by media overshadows the negative one. However, we should not forget that the impact of mass media varies from place to place and from Individual to Individual.
Mass media and its impact is the widely discussed topic among the students of journalism. Discourse about the impact of media inside classroom among classmates, teachers, lectures or professors are not uncommon. But barely the chance of going for a trip with classmates and studying about the media’s impact in the particular place comes. So, we made a plan to go for a one-day educational excursion where we would conduct the field survey. Thought of going for field survey, talking with varieties of peoples and understanding about the mass media’s impact made me really charged with excitement. Why I wouldn’t be filled with glee as it was going to be my first field survey. And finally, when our subject teacher agreed to take us for a tour, for me it was like dream has come true. The dream to explore new place, new people and of course, witness the impact of mass media upon those people residing on that particular place.
Thus, Lamatar-9, Lakuri Bhanjan of Lalitpur was selected as our research-field in the coaction of our class teacher Mr. Yam Bahadur Dura with the Journalism department chief Mr. Dilli Ram Bhattarai. It is situated about 10 km away from Gwarko, Lalitpur towards east. The trip was fixed.
Then, we were scheduled to leave for our destination at 7 am in the morning on April 25 but we set out a bit late then planned.
Unfortunately, our class teacher could not be with us on our survey due to his some so-called ‘most important personal work’. For me, it was the saddest part of our trip to Lakuri Bhanjan. I missed him all the way as no one could overcome his absence.
As we left the valley, a panoramic landscape of hills took over our vision. We forget the stress and strain. Throughout the way, singing and dancing remained part of tour activities. Various Hindi and Nepali songs made the air pleasant-sounding. After listening to our loud noise, passerby- seen on the way- couldn’t stop themselves from turning their face towards our college bus with mixed feeling of wonderment and delight.
Eventually, we reached to our destination by 10 am in the morning after moving through curvy and gravel path. The cool and fresh breeze of the Lakuri Bhanjan made us stand still for a moment. From the height of nearly 2000 meter above the sea level at Lakuri Bhanjan, the whole Kathmandu valley was clearly visible. Even the take-off and landing of plane was clear to our eyes. It is the moment where I realized that the valley has really turned into concrete jungle.
After having breakfast, we were assigned to go for a field survey by our department head Mr. Bhattarai. This was what was main purpose of our journey began. We were divided into several groups and each group comprised of five members. I was with Aman, Arman, Priyanka and Sushma in one group. I was one-half nervous and one-half excited as I had no any sort of such experience before. However, I got together with my team and commenced our field survey after all we were future journalists.
Firstly, we encountered wrinkle faced Surya Bahadur Moktan, 70, binding firewood. When we asked him about media, he gave us an ignorant smile. He didn’t understand what we were talking about. Later when we asked him either he watches television or listen radio, he gave us a faint smile and said, “I prefer watching Nepal Television and Kantipur Television but I meagerly listen to radio especially during load shedding only.” He further admitted that he listen news in the television. However asking upon him about constitution, he showed his apathy. Interaction with him made us clear that he was unaware about the media and its importance and current affair but we cannot deny the indirect impact of media upon him. Despite his old age and ignorance, he has internalized the importance of education. So, he has sent his grandchild to nearby school for the pursuit of education. He states that he has gained awareness to send child to school has come in him through various social serials broadcasted on television channels.
Now after finishing our interaction with the old man, we headed for the next house. There we met a Mongolian faced young boy Suresh Moktan. He was just 16 years old studying at grade 10 in the nearby government school. While inquiring about his preference of media, we came to know that he is also obsessed with television like Surya Bahadur. The young boy said he specially watches and listens entertainment programme broadcast from television and radio. He further informed us, “There is no access to newspaper in this place.”
Our observation and interaction with the locals vivified us that though the place is close to the Capital city, the local of this place are beyond the reach of print media. It was sad to hear that not a single newspaper reaches over there.
Thirdly, we met Jetha Lama, 52. Upon our question what media is, he started recounting the previous days with us. “Before 2001, there was no television in this area. People used to listen to radio. Radio Nepal was popular among locals. However, after 2001, people started buying black and white television and now, it has been replaced by color television.”, shared Lama. In the Lamatar-9 VDC, there are more than 500 families and each family possesses television at present. He stated people have adopted many healthy habits like washing hand before eating, making toilet among others because of media. “Few years back, people have started sending their daughter to the schools as a result of media’s impact.”
We also came to learnt that different NGOs and INGOs are actively working to aware and bring changes among the people in the place. The impact of such organization was intense in comparison to the mass media as their access is not easy followed by loadshedding and other various reasons, said Cheren Lama, 16, SLC appeared student. “Such organization has been proved to be boon to the locals of the place as they conduct street drama, awareness campaign, free health campaign among others.”, said he.
Most the people found during our survey echoed the need of construction of black topped road as there is gravel road. Despite the lack of transportation facility to reach over there, it is the honeypot for domestic tourist. Many people from valley throng there to enjoy their holiday. The place has lots of potentialities to attract international tourists also. Actually, if the place is developed and managed properly, it can be the treasure for the country. The place is backward in every way in terms of health facilities, educational facilities, and transportation facilities. But no initiatives have been taken from the government side to develop this place. Similar is the case with the media too.
The media haven’t played the role it should have in order to make this place developed. It is in itself a paradoxical in the context where the mass media is advocating as the voice of the voiceless.
The local of the place need the support of media. If the media keep playing the role of watchdog and shake the government to develop the place, no doubt the place is likely to change into the most prominent tourist spot. But the initiation is required.
