Hi Guys .. I don know why all my blogs are written from the same terminal even though I ve been in different places where net connection was available..
Ok let me start..
The issue which I plan to write here is about MEDIA – esp News Channels
In late nineties we had doodarshan channels telecasting news for the masses. I once thought how one can think of such a boring program called doordarshan news. It was so dull and the news was lacking punch and interest.
Later came in BBC, CNN , NDTV, Times Now etc which took news broadcast to next level. All Indian news channels like NDTV, Times Now started following the footsteps of CNN and to some extent BBC. The news channels started becoming a glitzy glam affair for the public.
In early years when I started watching BBC, I once came across the banner flashing “Breaking News” at the bottom of the screen. I don remember the news really but it was really a breaking news. But now we get Breaking News banners when News channels want to grab attention of viewers even for the most irrelevant things. The importance of “Breaking News” banner is lost totally (according to me).
The next issue is the Reporters and the coverage that is done. Reporters feel that they do the duty assigned to them. Yes they do and they over do thinking that they are doing an exceptional service. I am not accusing the entire reporter community but only some.
Reporters risk their life and venture into places where no ordinary man could even think of; hats off to them. But everything has its limits.
Case 1:
Many would be aware of the Aarushi murder case. The issue was discussed like a mega serial with new twists cropping every other day. The life of a little girl was gone. The news channel increased TRP rating in the name of creating sympathy and fighting for justice. Totally unwanted (This too “According to Me”).
Case 2:
The Dreaded H1N1 (Swine Flu) pan(dem)ic. The coverage was really important to give awareness about the disease out break. It too was an overdose creating panic among public. Psychologically many were affected and many wrong notions started to spread much faster than the disease. Then the news channels had a session of correcting the wrong notions spreading among public. Even now the cases of Swine-flu are increasing. No news about it. They create waves among the public in the starting days and then nobody will ever bother to take up that. Cameo roles are not suited for NEWS. I call this a “Blitzkrieg show” by NEWS Channels.
Case 3:
The Mumbai Terror Attacks.
The NEWS channels brought the streets of terror gripped Mumbai streets to our house. I remember seeing them awestruck till 2 am. I applauded the efforts of TV news reporters who risked their lives and brought to us the live news from Mumbai. But at one point of time I felt so insecure when they showed the security guards firing from their hide outs. It is not only the innocent and eager public who is watching these sequences, the terrorists too.
News channels showed the fighter air dropped in some region in a secret manner with “Breaking NEWS” banner. The Terrorist commanders saw this and alerted the fidayeen fighters.
They broadcasted the telephonic conversation of a minister inside the Taj Hotel in which he told his hide out and the place where many people were hiding. Who wants this news? Tell frankly who wants this news? Its needed for the rescue team and not for the public. The terrorists heard this news and advised the fidayeen fighters to go there and finish them. This resulted in more deaths. Who is responsible for their deaths here? Terrorists?
At the end the NEWS channels said that should ve been told about the limits and Security Personnel should ve made an arrangement to the NEWS channels so that they get updates periodically. Don’t they have the common sense of what to be telecasted and what not to?
TRP ratings at the cost of Human life.
Whatever I mentioned is my own views on NEWS broadcasting.
