Role of Indian electronic media during terrorist attack in Mumbai

What mass media did during the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai clearly demonstrates how callous our media is in dealing such sensitive situations. There was a time when any national or international incident of importance was brought to the notice of public by newspapers or radio. Then came T.V. and with it came Doordarshan. There were elaborate reporting of the incidents in mainstream newspapers and also there were heavily loaded follow up of the story written by some eminent journalist. But this was not the case with Doordarshan as it was mainly controlled by the government. So at the end of the day what was presented to the mass was pure refined news.

With change in time news creation transformed into news production. With the proliferation of private news channels Doordarshan went into back foot. And India witnessed a new style in reporting with loads of glamour in it. T.V producers, presenters, reporters trained from BBC, CNN, Reuters, FOX News joined the private News channels of repute like NDTV, TIMES NOW, CNN IBN STAR NEWS etc. Thus started a war to present breaking news and exclusive stories to the audience as fast as it could be. The channel that churns out more such stories is hailed as the best in the race.

This race got fire during the recent terrorist attack in TAJ Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel and Nariman House in Mumbai. India is being repeatedly attacked by terrorists from neighboring nations is nothing new today but getting exclusive images of such encounter was what Indian media eagerly waiting for. T.V. footage of journalists kneeling down and reporting live from the encounter sites in TAJ Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel and Nariman House in Mumbai was clearly indicating how excited those journalists were. To many of them it was like reporting from the army bunker when enemy shell was repeatedly hurled from the other side.

The journalists were seen quizzing every people roaming around the terror sites for some bit of news which they can pass as exclusive. And the presenter seating at the air conditioned studio was busy in breaking such baseless news to public. Everything was in a mess, the reporting was not proper, figures were not correct and the fumbling was terribly annoying.

Most importantly the journalists were a menace for the security personnel who were bravely fighting the intruders. The journo brigade almost gheraoed the senior army officials and interrogated to pass them their strategy. This doesn’t only killed precious time during action but also presented the terrorists with the important information about the NSG commandoes plan of action.

Now when the mini war is over and battle is won successfully by the Indian army the same media is raising questions at the politicians, government and even the army. Why not they introspect at themselves? What have they done to educate the people either then presenting terror footage? What have they done constructively to create a mass upheaval against terror and national politicians?

A killer bike called Hayabusa

Strong body, stunning finish, 1340cc inline-4 engine, lightning speed is all that defines Hayabusa, the fastest motorcycle in the world from the stable of Suzuki. Also known as the GSX1300R in many countries, Hayabusa was launched in 1999 and till now its sales has only skyrocketed in the global market. Hayabusa is a like a God of bikes to young bikers all over the world.

Following the incredible speed and magnetic appeal of the bike, Hayabusa has got its place in the 70mm screen. Recent Bollywood movies like Dhoom and Dhoom 2 has showed Hayabusa glamorously. This acted as an inspiration for the youths in India who earlier had to satisfy their craziness for speed with bikes such as Bajaj Pulsar and Yamaha. Reacting on the growing market the sales distributors promptly imported Hayabusa from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

Now, finally Hayabusa is here and along with it is number of bike accidents.

Young bikers love bikes and their passion for bike gets fire with Hayabusa, but very few of them actually know how to control the monster. With 1340cc inline-4 engine, Hayabusa is not a joke rather it is a deadly machine on the road. Expert bikers and trainers feel that enormous discipline and restraint is required to own this bike. One of the most interesting things often heard about Hayabusa is that instead of pulling wheelies when one grab a fistful of throttle; the bike will rocket forward and slowly pull the front tire off the ground.

Wealthy people often gift Hayabusa to their sons as birthday gift little realising the fact the toy can cut short their son’s life span. On the other hand young boys play with Hayabusa on public roads and highways and perform stunning acts with it. A trick they do out of innocence and for fun often turns into death.

Ban on smoking has gone up in smoke

After crossing lot of hurdles the health minister of India, Mr. Anbumani Ramadoss is finally successful in transforming the law on smoking ban from papers to reality. This was a very tough job for the minister who gathered ire from different sections of the society. Well the anger is true to some extent, especially when the citizens take it as their fundamental right. Who doesn’t smoke? Where you will draw the line? Poor, millionaire, doctors, actors, politicians, govt. officials, teachers, police, criminal, army man, spiritual leaders, women, students and all, smoke to attain ecstasy. Therefore the ban on smoking came over them as a curb on their democracy. Millions in India sportingly avoid standing in queues to vote, but how can they quit smoking?

Annually thousands die due to smoking related diseases in India and the most popular of them is cancer. Interestingly people feel jittery even talking about cancer, but at the same time they are so reluctant about its major cause. Several throw such arguments that ­­­­­--- even smoking is banned cancer can’t be prevented or pollution kills more than smoking. The problem in India is that very few people know little but understands more. To avoid uneasy problem they create their own stories as part of self defence mechanism.

Who cares about the fine? Those who smoke spend thousands or even more in a year on their preferred brands of puff. So only a Rs. 200 fine cannot stop them from smoking in public places. Even the law enforcement body is reluctant. People smoking boldly everywhere, but nobody is there to punish them. Politicians fear that they may lose some loyal voters if they try to become strict. So pretending is the best policy to avoid the situation and let the smoking ban go up in smoke.

An enigma called BREAKING NEWS

Every ‘NEWS’ is now a ‘BREAKING NEWS’ that’s what is claimed and preached by India’s popular news channels especially meant for the Hindi speaking mass such as AajTak, Zee News and India TV. These channels have completely turned the meaning of BREAKING NEWS in news industry. Looking at the ferocity and spontaneity of churning out breaking news by these channels it is clear that the producers of these channels have decided any news with juicy content will be taken as breaking news, otherwise not.

According to Wikipedia (the online reliable encyclopaedia), “Breaking news is a current event that broadcasters feel warrants the interruption of scheduled programming in order to report its details. Its use is often loosely assigned to the most significant story of the moment or a story that is being covered live. It could be a story that is simply of wide interest to viewers and has little impact otherwise.”

This is a widely accepted definition of BREAKING NEWS in the news industry. But AajTak, Zee News and India TV in particular have reshaped the definition in their own way. These two channels primarily consider news to be as breaking news looking at its viewereship, which mainly comprise Hindi speaking mass of India. So they normally pick news that appeals the emotions, inquisition and sociological background of such viewers. In addition to these the quantity of Hindi speaking viewer is too strong, which makes it too hard to resist the TRP that comes as a bonus for these commercial hungry so called news channels. The truth behind this statement will be justified if the breaking news broadcasted by these channels is watched carefully.

Such breaking news doesn’t accumulate much interest in Eastern and Southern part of India, where the Hindi speaking viewer is comparatively less. Strangely being national news channel AajTak, Zee News and India TV is least bothered about other part of India. They very much like Raj Thackeray wants to earn the attention of a particular fraction of the society. These channels are not ruled by strong editorial team/content instead is guided by the advertisers who force them to pick news that has an entertainment value.

If this is not the case then how these channels air news (if they really deserve to be categorised as news) such as calf born with 2 heads, Aishwarya and Abhishek’s pooja, tantriks evaluating what would have been the best possible solution for the Bachchan, Mallika’s fallout on her performance on the new year eve and many similar news as breaking news.

These channels broadcast illogical, impractical, gossip making, supernatural, violence and nudity in the name of news which is evident from the amusing and catchy headline they flash as breaking news such as:

Katrinaka sudh hindi shuniye

Camera me kalajadu

America mei music album mein macha bawal

Commissioner ka kutta mila

Kapde churanewali bhut

Shararti langur ke harkate

Aao yamlok chale

Muat ke bad

Bagh ka hua prem

Khuni barish ke piche kaun?

Pyaaz mangnewali churail

Salman ke sasuralwale

Chajje pe billo rani

Rahul ne dal puri aur sabji khai

Amitabh Bachchan ko thand lagi

Wonder from which planet these TV producers have come! It will be another breaking news then.

Reality of Reality Shows

14 year old Neera was waiting anxiously, exhausted and hungry outside an audition centre in a metropolitan city. She had come with her mother to take part in an audition for a popular T.V reality show that is to be aired on a national entertainment channel. She was holding her mother’s hand tightly anticipating the final result of her performance.

This result can become the first step towards the glamorous stardom. Everyone is throwing their best to reach that stardom, but very few can actually reach that place. The lucky one who reaches that point is hailed as the best and is idolised by all and also by those who could not achieve that coveted place. And the one who cannot reach that place, although staying just one step behind is termed as potentially weak. A term that has the potential to wreck a youngster’s aspiration, and morale.

Unable to bear the pressure of a reality show, Neera gives up and suddenly collapses on the ground. Her mother who was earlier trying to calm Neera’s nerve now herself becomes nervous and shouts for help. But no one comes to her rescue as all the participants and their parents are waiting for the result. She cries for help several times, when one of the volunteers for the show turns up and assist Neera with water.

This is a very common sight in most of the reality show venues at this moment. Reality show is buzzing in the entertainment industry. Whether it is a dance show such as Jhum tara na, Dhoom Machale le or Nach Baliye, singing show such as Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma, Star Voice of India Chhote Ustad or Star Voice of India or other adult reality show like MTV roadies or Big Boss all attract huge (Television Rating Points) TRPs for the entertainment channels like Sony, Star Plus, Etv, Zee Bangla, Zee TV etc. The basic fact is, in an era where TRPs and SMSes rule the game, well planned reality shows are spinning money for the producers, which is a factor that motivates many others to join the race.

Hate it or like it reality shows are ruling the prime time of TV viewing. Such shows has even pushed back political quarrel that are often staged in the news channels between political leaders. Moreover major events in a popular reality show are aired as BREAKING NEWS in all national English and Hindi news channels.

Now in this situation how can parents only sit back and enjoy such shows in their comfy atmosphere at home and do not push their children into the fire of reality shows. How can they miss the opportunity of proudly announcing in front of the T.V reporters that their son or daughter is the winner and how much sacrifice they have done to achieve this?

In this allure of a reality show many young participants like Neera becomes the victims and they are the only one who truly realise the reality of such shows.