In the name of TRP, media channels have made a blot on the fourth pillar of democracy. Sensationalism, communal tones of panellists on news debates and ungrounded news reporting in many cases have discredited the mainstream media. Now, the I&B Ministry has decided to curtail their wings.
Clear warning from MIB
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a written advisory to private satellite TV channels. It called on all the TV channels to stop using ‘scandalous headlines’, usage of unparliamentary language in debates and adhere to the provisions of Section 20 of The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Programme Code under it.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory for adherence to the provisions of Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 pic.twitter.com/PijXlVduOa
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) April 23, 2022
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According to the Indian Express, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, “Incorrect and misleading information was being shown against friendly nations also and the way the news was being shown… the ministry has issued a notice on that and it has also warned TV channels not to repeat such mistakes in the future”.
Not so-Catchy Headlines
The advisory mentioned some provocative and scandalous headlines but refrained to single out the channels. Few examples of provocative, sensationalising headlines like “Delhi mein aman ke dushman kaun?” (Who is the enemy of peace in Delhi?); and “Badi saazish dange wali, Karauli, Khargone vaya Delhi” (Big conspiracy of riots, Karauli, Khargone via Delhi). The ministry also called out some media reports which had even given “communal colour to the actions of authorities”.
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The Ministry pointed out that some news media reports did war mongering and went on to the extent to misquote international agencies and claiming World War 3 has started. “Parmanu Putin se pareshan Zelenski” (Zelenski worried about nuclear Putin); “Parmanu action ki chinta se Zelenski ko depression” (Zelenski in depression over worry of nuclear action); “Ukraine se Putin ka parmanu plan taiyar?” (Putin’s nuclear plan against Ukraine ready?).
The news channels have done a great disservice by conducting media trials, speculative debates, and debates that are provocative and sometimes communal in nature. The media during many terrorist attacks and counter-terror operations have done live reporting that proved to be fatal for the country and many secrets and ongoing information went on to the handlers of these terrorists.
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In search of Television Rating Points (TRP) media has not refrained from spreading false news in the rat race of breaking news the earliest. This warning by the Ministry should be a learning curve for these media houses and the fourth pillar of democracy has to step up and take its responsibility seriously.