The word itself makes most of us switch channels or flip through newspapers in ignorance or nonchalance. But there was a time when people used to look forward for the newspaper boy, zooming on his bicycle and throwing the newspaper with uncanny precision. Day would not start till the lady of the house would prepare a quick cup of tea/coffee and the men would settle with the newspaper; reading each news with curiosity, apathy and genuine concern. That was the time when newspapers made less profit, had lesser ads and were trying to sell news and not themselves. The worry was to get the news right, at the right time!
But not now; times have changed. The focus have changed and so the newspapers as well. So the impending domestic issues of Karisma and Sanjay makes the headlines; the opinion poll doesn’t have Bihar elections but who is the best bachelor on TV; and finally endless contests on tam bola, guess the numbers etc. You name it, they have it; and if they don’t, they are sure to put it in the next issue.
Newspapers are now targeting consumers and not readers, and they know it. After all, how many of us really take the pains of going through the newspapers to read the news. The people are now reading what the newspapers are serving them. Be it the Delhi Times or the HT City, no one is complaining. The target is now to make more money and more money and prove to the rival newspapers that they are ranked first in some damn survey. News is on the back foot and it will be there for some time now.
The only part that disturbs me is the effect it is having on the next generation. ’’What ranking does the newspaper get by publishing some ghastly photograph of a severed limb in a bomb blast or a micro mini girl dancing away in some page 3 parties?’’ It only creates sensationalism and advocates journalism of the wrong type. But who cares!
News channels are not way behind. Watching a news channel is nothing less than an adventure ride with ’’Breaking News, Opinion Polls, Special Interviews etc ’’ The news anchors are chic and happening and they look much more confident. There is a lot more competition and each day is a breaking day for one of the many news channels.
But again the level of journalism is questionable. In the name of journalism, we are intruding into private lives of the known and the unknown and happily doing it; each day! Investigative journalism, Sting journalism and Yellow journalism are the names today. Each news channel is coming up with sting operations, , breaking news and strange and weird ways of getting the right TRP’s . The market is open for speculation and the news channels are not complaining. They have enough TRP’s but not enough time to telecast the news.
The other day, a Kalyug ki Radha made the breaking news; today it will be Sania’s skirt length! But who cares on what happens to the millions of money being spent on the various policies that government prepares each day. The debates should be on government’s rule, the latest minister’s doing and stuff like that. Most of the news channels give these as supplements whereas they should be the staple diet for us.
But not all is wrong. You still have initiatives as “HT Leadership Summit”, “Big Fight”, “Seedhi Baat” etc who are trying to make a difference. However small it may look, but it is required. We need news as it comes but not at the stake of reality bites shown with such fanfare that by the end of it, u don’t realize that it was a tragedy and not a comedy. *Things need to be controlled, lest they lose their way. News channels, news anchors, newspaper editors and publishers; they all have a responsibility and they should realize it. The world is changing and they need to change as well. But not for worst!
A final comment for all those who relish these news bits: Do take time out and watch all the channels late night show. They are absolute must for people who want to stay awake all night. The screaming anchors, scary signature tunes and horribly shot “actual footages” will make your day; because you will not get the sleep for the night and you will be early to rise for the day. Makes sense to me, at least!
Do leave your comments if you agree or disagree with me; it helps me to learn and unlearn some things!