For over a year many readers had been requesting a compilation of posts
on MediaCrooks (MC) be published in a book form. A compilation of over 400
posts would be quite bulky so I have chosen the 50 most popular posts that
cover many media related issues that would remain relevant over time. The book ‘Social Media As Watchdog’ (SMW) brings
you that compilation. Going beyond a mere compilation the book explains the
arrival of Social Media as a watchdog over MSM and how there is no monopoly on
national discourse anymore. The book compiles the posts in 9 freshly written
chapters.
Recent events have shown that the SM is starting to influence
discussions and debates on TV, newspapers and news sites. This is one of the
most heartening developments in our country. SM puts power back where it belongs: in the hands of ordinary people.
Those who pooh-poohed the internet, blogs, Facebook or Twitter will not be able
to ignore these anymore. Those who adapted to these new communication tools
will benefit from it. In a few years one can expect the SM to become the more
dominant voice in public discourse. The MSM does not have the monopoly on
dictating the national discourse anymore. Even those in the profession of
journalism or hoping to enter the profession can use the book for some
introspection.
I am frequently asked the question if MC has made any difference to the
MSM. It is hard to tell and even harder to measure. One thing I can confirm is
that most MSM people do read the blog frequently. The greater purpose was to
ensure that readers become more aware of the spins, distortions and deceptions
by the MSM. That purpose is being served well and many consumers of news and
debates are now carefully assessing each word and sentence being uttered in the
media. On the SM, anyone who can reasonably construct a response in 140
characters can claim a response to the MSM. The other important task MC had
undertaken was to respond to MSM not with mere opinions but with cold, hard
facts. I have consistently believed that facts count and opinions belong in the
garbage can where public discourse is concerned. Opinion matters the most when
it goes into the ballot box. In most corporate bodies people with facts are
more useful in decision making than those with opinions. In business, though, decision-making
by an educated guess, gut-feeling or instinct is always welcome but these should
not be welcome in news reporting and analysis.
SMW shows how willful deceptions by the MSM are being challenged and
rectified by Social Media. The collection also shares a limited list of a dozen books and movies that form a
background to the posts on MC. These books and movies have been often used to
create analogies to explain the behaviour and news-delivery of MSM. Also included
in the book is list of a dozen other great blogs and websites which best
analyse and offer commentary on the MSM and current affairs. There are many
others that I follow but had to limit these lists to a dozen.
One thing that does bring joy to me is that many readers of MC have now
started their own blog and are writing their responses and analysis of news and
current affairs. Writing is a joy but to make it impactful it needs some
tactics. In the book I share five unique
writing and branding tactics employed at MC for the benefit of readers
and budding writers. Thanks to Prof. R. Vaidyanathan of IIM Bangalore
who has written the foreword for the book. He is a finance & economy expert
and a keen observer of media himself.
Those wishing to procure a copy of the book may CLICK HERE and get details of the book and the ordering
process.
