By Tomazinho Cardozo
The impact of the electronic media on viewers is far more effective than any other media. This is because the news, accompanied by visuals and live coverage, creates a lasting impression.
It brings the complete picture of the happenings anywhere in the world right into our sitting rooms. Very often, the viewer gets emotionally involved in the matter being telecast. The electronic media has a great role to play in nation building provided this medium is ‘used’ and not ‘misused’.
The positive aspect of channels, particularly news channels, is that they do great service to society. They have exposed corruption and nepotism, been responsible for compelling concerned authorities to act in the interest of the weak and the powerless, have seriously taken up environmental issues, have fought against injustice prevailing in the society, some of their programmes have given authorities food for thought and a direction to frame innovative welfare schemes, etc. In other words they have used this medium properly and effectively. However, over a period, an element of competition has crept into the functioning of these channels. Fight for TRP has resulted in the survival of the fittest. Hence news channels sensationalising news which many a time creates confusion among the people.
As per statistics, at present there are 80 million households in India with TVs, of which over seven million are DTH. This means that only about 9 per cent of Indians make use of this medium. 91 per cent of India’s population is yet to benefit of the electronic media. Considering the factual position, I feel that channels, particularly news channels, must display maturity while reporting. Competitive spirit is a healthy sign of development. In fact, it should bring about improvement in the quality of reporting. Is this happening?
The day-to-day competitive exercises for the sake of garnering popularity can be seen in the following incidents. Every news channel tries to present the news with extremely catchy quotes and images. The news may be worthless yet it manages to create a sensation. Each and every channel projects the report as if they are the ones bringing exclusive coverage. The very meaning of exclusiveness has been redefined by these channels. To be one up they resort to adventurous journalism. You must have seen very secret meetings between correspondents of some news channels with wanted criminals. They proudly telecast their meetings discussing their lifestyle and thoughts. What are they trying to prove with such coverages?
When 26/11 happened, most channels telecast a sort of reality show on terrorism. While the NSG, police and army were combating the terrorists, the reporters never felt the pain of reporting right from the spot of action. In fact, for a layman, these reporters helped terrorists to plan their strategy according to the moves of the NSG commandoes.
When the Telengana issue became serious and when violence erupted in that area, news channel reports created the impression that Andhra Pradesh was burning. A sincere citizen of Andra Pradesh commented, “These channels and newspapers, in the mask of social responsibility, are killing the society, and this is happening with our own Hyderabad too. Being the mediators between the truth and the people, between information and people, and between powers-that-be and people, the media should feel more responsible and act according to the situation rather than cashing in on the situation by sensationalising it, by showing and projecting everything larger than life.”
They gave a similar treatment to Goa during the sensational Scarlet case. These took the opportunity to project Goa as a murderous and a totally insecure state for tourists. Such a projection damaged Goa’s reputation of being a safe tourist destination and many countries advised their citizens against visiting Goa. These news channels helped destroy the trust foreign tourists had in Goa and its people.
We live in a democracy. No doubt freedom of expression is our fundamental right. In a democracy, freedom of expression should be used to fight injustice, to bring equality, to end poverty, to wipe out darkness and to bring in light, to protect and preserve our environment, to inculcate values, to end communalism, casteism, etc. But many a time the right to freedom of expression is misused. Instead of telecasting facts they tend to projected it with a coating of their views. Sensationalising news has becomes the focus of every channel. In doing so, many a time, they raise emotions among the people and thus contribute indirectly in increasing the flames of violence.
Considering the importance of electronic media in the country I feel that TV channels, particularly the news channels, have to exercise restraint while reporting. They should report only facts without indulging in destroying credibility with their views which, many a time, are biased. If self restraint is not exercised then these channels are bound to do more harm than good in times to come.
