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50 EASTERN HORIZON | FEATURES

This was the very matter brought up for
discussion at the “Buddhist Media Conclave”
held in New Delhi, India from August 26-
27, 2018. Organized by the International
Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and hosted by
the Vivekananda International Foundation,
the two days conference sought to brainstorm
how “mindfulness” can be used as a
mindset for those involved in news making,
aggregation and distribution.

One way to look at the intent of media owners
is to understand the position or agenda
assumed by them. The keynote speaker, Shri
S. Gurumurthy Ji has an interesting take on
this. He suggests to see if the position taken
allow unfettered, unmoderated discussions
entails doctrinal tolerance or doctrinal
is a classic case of fermenting adversarial
intolerance.
noises. The situation is then compounded
by the short life span of current news, which
Doctrinal intolerance would suggest an
in today’s term are measured in hours and
assumption of an ideology which is exclusive,
minutes. Arguments and name callings that
a position that “I am right and you are
explodes in cyberspace are rarely resolved,
wrong”, an approach that is “only”. Such
and most go quiet as the news item’s shelve
exclusive ideology, which include religious
life expires soon after it is published.
views and certain fixation of modernity (for
instance, capitalistic consumerism as the only
Thus, the amber of anger lingers on. And
acceptable lifestyle), are leading the world to
thus, clashes between herds continue to
conflict.
be manufactured. The accusations by the
Democrats against Russian meddling in
On the other hand, doctrinal tolerance is
the last US elections which many in the
one of being inclusive, an approach that is
Republican party denies is a case in point.
“also”. An assumption of such a mindset no
longer denotes an ideological stance, but a
Whichever way it is viewed, it is
philosophical one. Gurumuthy Ji is convinced
acknowledged that media bias is a fact
that the philosophical approach is key to
of life. It is biased because when media
the reduction of conflict, because before one
owners establish their facility, a position of
criticizes another, one has to master the other
intent has already been taken up. In these
side’s philosophy. This, he says, is the heart of
circumstances, how then can mindfulness,
dialogue.
or more specifically the Buddhist teaching
of “Right Mindfulness” (Sammasati) play
And should both sides still cannot come
a part in promoting platforms for conflict
to terms, then the next best thing to do is
avoidance?