Saw a discussion on a news channel on TV censorship and was a little appalled as how everyone was just blaming someone else.. be it government, audiences, people who own the networks, politicians and so on. No one wanted to take the mantle of cleaning up the act. Surprisingly, everyone agreed that the news channels have gone insane over the years and are nothing but mere entertainment channels delivering pitiful content. There is hardly any difference in those saas-bahu soaps and say a breaking news on ur favorite news channel. Compare that to the BBC and CNN of the world and your head will lay low in shame.
Of course, no channel or a reporter wants any censorship, especially government controlled. Recently, Delhi High Court delivered a judgement when there was a PIL against “Sach Ka Saamna”. It said that people should ‘switch off’ their TV if they don’t want to see a particular show. That was a shot in the arm for channels as they could go on and show any content (offensive or not) and garb it in the veil that “a viewer has a choice not to see it”. Does that give a right to the channel to air any content? Surprisingly, some of these channels have marquee names like Rajdeep Sardesai, Vir Sanghvi who are ace journalists and writers. Some of these channels are also big media houses who also have a print publication (Times group, Living Media, ABP) and so on. Most of the print publications have always exercised restraint and only printed material which is suitable for all. Its surprising how they have different yard stick when they move on a different mode of delivering news.
Certainly, censorship cannot be spoken in the same breath without talking about activism by media. The recent media activism brought changes in the society be it Ruchika case, or Jessica Lal in the past, but somewhere the truth is that media has been too quick or too late in delivering a judgement. Ruchika case was not touched by the same media for over a decade. Jessica Lal’s case was almost done with before media hit a jackpot. A trial by media is always more obscure and irrational, no matter how right they are. As a fourth estate of democracy, it can never take on the role of judiciary or the government or even the people. Actually, that’s where the eternal confusion is, as the fourth pillar, which side is media on? And if asked, the perpetual answer is ‘people’ or ‘junta’. Amusingly, that’s what every politician also says.
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