Of subliminal messaging and such other things..
…or the Great Joke that is Indian Media, Part XIX.. Please take out a few minutes from your schedule to watch this 7-min clip from IBN on the Bofors Scandal (or as a shortcut, just look at the image below)
Notice anything odd?
If you did, pat yourself on the back! What you noticed (if you did) is a fine (if somewhat blatant) example of subliminal messaging.. What is that? I hear you say…Well, pl watch the clip again..this time more carefully..particularly from 4:46 onwards..
Now tell me, notice anything odd? No? OK, here goes.. The particular bit I am referring to is about Arun Nehru – a close confidant of Rajiv Gandhi. Sh Nehru is most widely known for his alleged role in the Bofors scandal that allegedly involved “political payments” to Congress Party. Sh Nehru is currently a member of the Janata Dal.  Now notice the “party symbol” in the background. Odd, no? To the best of my knowledge, Sh Nehru is not – was not – a BJP member.  And I don’t believe he has ever contested any election on the BJP’s symbol. Yet not once, not twice but 4 times in this clip – in a short span of 60 seconds – he is shown against the backdrop of BJP’s lotus symbol! IBN *might* have still “redeemed” itself (somewhat) if they had similarly shown Rajiv Gandhi against the Congress’ symbol. But do you see that anywhere in the 7-min clip? Check for yourself! If you think this is “harmless” – or that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, pl read this:
University College..researchers have found the first physiological evidence that invisible subliminal images do attract the brain’s attention on a subconscious level. The wider implication for the study…is that techniques such as subliminal advertising, now banned in the UK but still legal in the USA, certainly do leave their mark on the brain.
Any wonder the credibility of mainstream media continues to drop? Also read:  Subliminal messages can affect our brains (via Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) and more in case you are really keen.
Also read:Â Pathetic or Disgusting? You Decide.. and the post on Burying Bofors..
* Thanks to usual satire (via CenterofRight) for alerting me to this…
For those who came in late, the entire Great Joke that is Indian Media series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17 and Part 18. Enjoy.
ha ha…Shantanu, give them some credit for desperately trying to put BJP in a spot! I found it hilarious! You are awesome…it would normally go unnoticed!
@Uma “…it would normally go unnoticed!” unfortunately your brain begs to differ….and this sorry excuse for a news channel is counting on it…
I was watching another channel debate. The moderator was trying hell bent to make BJP too an involved party in the scam with the help of other participants. BJP had its chance anyway. I hate all traitors whichever party they are in.
This post made me realize why I was typically confused after reading headline of this news article by media
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Another such article | Oneindia
‘Fraud’ godman Nirmal Baba more powerful,popular than Ramdev
Written by Nairita D Oneindia
New Delhi, Apr 26: Nirmal Baba, who is currently famous as “fraud” godman, seems to have left the yoga-guru Baba Ramdev far behind in the race of impressing the Indians. Several corruption and forgery cases have been imposed on Nirmal Baba, …
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… mentioning Nirmal Baba along with Swami Ramdev
sometimes I feel depressed – we are such a pathetic mess in India
Dear All: Thanks all for the comments…Might be delayed in responding…(travelling on work over the next several days…)
@Uma: Credit must go to UsualSatire! Thanks
Shantanu ji,
good catch. Interesting to know that this is a common thing for our paid media.
some time back in Kerala ( a popular tv channel having the name of a ‘continent’)did the same thing.
This happened an year ago or so. One of Kerala’s most popular singer’s child met with an accident and died. One of India’s most popular religious leader was ailing during that time. This accident happened out of country and for the first few hours there was nothing for the channel to show except old photographs. Wonder of wonders the picture showed the actress with her daughter getting ‘blessings’ from this religious leader.
This photograph was repeatedly flashed till evening. It was not seen however seen at night time.
Was there any ‘subliminal’ message involved in this episode?
An important thing to understand is that english media continued a serious of ‘attacks’ against this religious leader till his death ( happened some weeks after this incident) & also after that.
I came across this interesting article. Can I give some food for thought?
Why not use this powerful tool to embed the positive messages based on behavioral practices of yester years for media programmes targeting a todays child. I have experimented and can share with those with similar objectives.