The secret love affair of a senior leader ate up all the time and space in the media last week; the bomb blast in Chennai, Tamilnadu or the pogrom in Kokrajhar, Assam although found a minuscule mention in the fourth page of newspapers; the selfies and the barbs got ample time and space, news like the blast got little or no coverage on news networks; because there were no sponsors for these news, I think. The Center sponsored channels did their ritual routine job, and the devastating incidents came into light as a not-so-important event. Isn't it a live example and testimony to the fact that the fourth pillar of democracy has corroded up to a devastating degree in India? and is in need of a overhaul?
After the TV channels mushroomed in 1990s; it was feared then that in order to survive and do business, few will choose the sensationalizing route, few will squander from their path of proper and authentic information, few will mean only business, and few will commercialize this fourth and important pillar of democracy by degrees; but, few will stick to the basic fabric of news and broadcasting design. Today, this pillar of democracy is in dire situation, needing an essential and life-saving overhaul.
The breaking news scenario, where an incident of a little value is sensationalized like a hot cake; the scandals are given a fair treatment--a TRP raising legerdemain--but, a news of national importance finds no mention. Who is to blame for this paradigm-shift? The policy makers, the regulators, the viewers, or the owners? Isn't it a time to think about their proper regulation? where every channels are compelled to comply with the minimum decorum required to be categorized as a news channels?--failing which, they will be devalued or thrown out of the news broadcasters domain?
Ironically, for most of the players in this field, their prerogative and protocol runs supreme, and making profit is their primary goal. Regulation of these channels was taken few years back by the central agency, but the guild of News and Broadcasting Association is so strong that it thrashes every effort of taming them. Today, they make and destroy a personality, party and even a government instantly by the simple trick of character assassination. After every news, they take a commercial breaks. Who will tell these actors, saviour and guards of democracy that they are corroding at a much greater pace; and its time now to think of their role in society seriously. Then only the necessary protection from corrosion will be taken, and those who have fallen astray will come back to their defined routes. But, for this to happen and materialize a stern policy is the need of the hour and those showing non-adherence to it, face severe penalties. Thank God! there are few players in this field, due to whom this important pillar of democracy survives, and are respite for the viewers.
After the TV channels mushroomed in 1990s; it was feared then that in order to survive and do business, few will choose the sensationalizing route, few will squander from their path of proper and authentic information, few will mean only business, and few will commercialize this fourth and important pillar of democracy by degrees; but, few will stick to the basic fabric of news and broadcasting design. Today, this pillar of democracy is in dire situation, needing an essential and life-saving overhaul.
The breaking news scenario, where an incident of a little value is sensationalized like a hot cake; the scandals are given a fair treatment--a TRP raising legerdemain--but, a news of national importance finds no mention. Who is to blame for this paradigm-shift? The policy makers, the regulators, the viewers, or the owners? Isn't it a time to think about their proper regulation? where every channels are compelled to comply with the minimum decorum required to be categorized as a news channels?--failing which, they will be devalued or thrown out of the news broadcasters domain?
Ironically, for most of the players in this field, their prerogative and protocol runs supreme, and making profit is their primary goal. Regulation of these channels was taken few years back by the central agency, but the guild of News and Broadcasting Association is so strong that it thrashes every effort of taming them. Today, they make and destroy a personality, party and even a government instantly by the simple trick of character assassination. After every news, they take a commercial breaks. Who will tell these actors, saviour and guards of democracy that they are corroding at a much greater pace; and its time now to think of their role in society seriously. Then only the necessary protection from corrosion will be taken, and those who have fallen astray will come back to their defined routes. But, for this to happen and materialize a stern policy is the need of the hour and those showing non-adherence to it, face severe penalties. Thank God! there are few players in this field, due to whom this important pillar of democracy survives, and are respite for the viewers.
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