Indian Media Bash Blog

A wider range of newspapers, tv channels, radio stations and (mis)information websites are largely available across the country. These pave the way for a more informed, educated and democratic India.

However, all these publications, channels and websites are now engaging in competition and rivalry too intensively. Being determined to get the ‘scoop’ first is beginning to lead some of the the media to override the crucial factor of getting an accurate and impartial message conveyed.

For example, Star News and its biased stance on former Indian cricket skipper. Before Ganguly was rejected to play in the next few tournaments, Star News was seen to spend a lot of airtime writing him off as a cricketer. However, when the decision to exclude Ganguly was made and led to a commendable public furore, across the nation, this channel changed its tack and started to praise Ganguly, featuring all his great cricketing moments.

Most channels are communicating in or incorporating the English language. Star News and Zee News both use English words scripted in Hindi like ‘Car’ and ‘carein’, meaning cars. This gives scope for learning a foreign language.

Yet, what is the point of having so many English channels if most of the Indian masses cannot or have difficulty in understanding English? Unless, of course, the government takes more steps in encourages the increase of (English) literacy levels.

Next, certain TV serials and films depict on increasing significance of the Indian media and how our lives are revolving around it more and more; but is this even a pro, to start with? Also, often such depictions are either inaccurate or questionable. For instance, in spring 2005, a popular TV serial showed a couple of TV reporters from a popular news channel delivering a one-sided coverage of an event. While, some of us will not take TV serials seriously, should we not take inaccuracy seriously?

Talk shows, chat shows are growing a lot more too. This is perhaps because we get a scope to know more about (often self-appointed) celebrity figures. They are also a forum for discussion and interaction on issues of concern. Since these shows are about people and their opinions, they can lead to bias and controversy- which can be useful, let alone entertaining.

For example, in most episodes of Koffee with Karan, inaccurate and even defamatory coverage of the famous has been brought up. My question here is if the media has actually misrepresented them, why do these public figures not always take legal or suitable action against them? Journalists in the West, particularly Britain, cannot get away with defamation or false reporting at all; simply because the defamed or alleged make sure they do not. So, how come we do not see much of this happening in India? Is it because the celebs cannot be bothered to get involved with the law or corruption or further negative publicity? Or is it because perhaps the journalists have been true to their word and that the celebs prefer to keep schtum?

There are a number of film (read showbiz/gossip) magazines out there these days too. Well, we all just love and need some real entertainment, now and then!

However, the film reviews most of these publications write are utter nonsense, ludicrous bakwaas. Film criticism is an art and it requires a thorough understanding and study of the medium, like literature does. Proper film criticism is a constructive study and analysis of the mis-en-scene, cinematography, narrative, plot developments, continuity editing, auteur-ship and critical approaches that stem from or reflect other intellectual theories.

Proper film criticism is not dismissing or denouncing a film just because celebrity figures do not attend certain parties- arranged by the media- as mentioned by some in Koffee with Karan. Please could somebody clarify if this is true.

In early 2005, I saw a news feature on TV declaring a movie to have flopped, on the basis of the BO collections of the four days since its release! It turns out this film still ran in cinemas worldwide for around two months. So, how could a journalist make such presumptions and get away with it? More importantly, why are we tolerating it?

Bollywood films have finally made a place on the global map. This has resultantly brought about more recognition for Indians and the Indian diaspora communities, across the globe.

However, Bollywood has yet to carve a niche for itself in the world of film studies. While Bengali and Marathi films have achieved this, Bollywood films have seemed to have only recently started to follow steps. Granted that some of the Bollywood generic conventions, like random, put-it-for-the-sake-of-it, placing of songs, are non-diegetic. Or the authenticity of some plot backgrounds can sometimes be questionable. However, the principles of film criticism can still be applied on them, I just wish our reviewers and critics could practice it more!

I will leave you readers/bloggers to decide whether you want to consider the above, or complain about this blog, or do something about it. Whatever your reaction is, I will be waiting for it!