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Electronic Media needs to be regulated for fair and unbiassed reporting

Union Minister for Information and Broadcast Prakash Javedkar on 07.10.2020 correctly analyzed regularly downgraded reporting by electronic media based on TRP rating after there were reports of paid news and fake news.

 

Even though the minister desired that media should be self-regulated or to be monitored by quasi-judicial body Press Council of India. But several self-acclaimed top TV-channels are now-a-days racing in shouting journalism where anchors act as self-appointed judges and panelists in themselves. At least central government can ensure either directly or through Press Council of India that no TV channel may play foul by deliberately suppress voice against view of concerned TV channel by keeping mike-volume of those having opponent views low. This is undoubtedly biased and unfair journalism which must not be allowed in name of freedom of press at times leading to media-trial of hi-fi cases. Unfortunately National Broadcasters Association (NBA) is also not advising its member-channels to avoid shouting-journalism and biased and unfair reporting. Rather panelists found guilty of abusing or shouting should be banned by NBA.

 

Bitter fact is unfortunately totally biased and unfair TRP-based shouting journalism is being forced on TV viewers by certain TV channels. It was ridiculous that a private TV channel (not the shouting one) even went low to the extent to question wisdom of TV viewers for so-alleged irresponsible watching an interview of a hi-fi accused in an on-going case involving celebrities on a competitive TV channel with the case being the lead news-story on TV channels now for months even after another new news-story on death of a girl in Hathras having been surfaced.

 

MADHU AGRAWAL

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