Saturday, March 29, 2014

A Study of The Journalistic Trends on TV News Channels in India: From News to Views

A Study of The Journalistic Trends on
TV News Channels in India: From News to Views
Through Few Case Studies






By
Prof. Komal Shah
National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism,
Shapath I, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad- 380 015







Paper was presented in the National Conference on Media and Communication (NCMC-2013), , organized by Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur and the theme of the conference:: Media and Society in Moving Age 24*7, February 8-9, 2013.


ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the prevailing media trends in India in a historical context, highlights the issues being debated on news channels. An underlying premise is the need for the key stakeholders to strengthen the linkages between the discourse on media trends in a democracy and their own investments in communication.
For this research paper findings have been used from various websites and newspaper articles. A few in-depth cases have been studied which have hogged maximum air time on the private news channels. This has helped the researcher to get a perfect analysis of the development of the story and the projection of the same by these news channels.  TAM reports have been used to choose the news channel having maximum viewership and the proprietary holdings of the channel have even been kept in mind while analyzing the news stories.
Since the economic liberalization of the early 90’s, electronic media scene in India has changed from a state-monopolized single channel to market-oriented multichannel web. In last 20 years it has developed, as some would like to put, by leaps and bounds but actually it structurally changed from the state monopoly to a corporate entity.
So-called fine line between news and views is diminishing quickly, social and serious content is generously replaced by political debates, corporatized news selection and sensational news projections. Economic and commercial compulsions of free market have pushed media to give more space to urban centric news which gets more audience amongst the urban middle class.
Historical background
The introduction of TV in 1959 reflected the attitude of the medium as a means for disseminating government policies, public information and propaganda. Entertainment was hardly a priority for the state broadcaster.  The main aim of the national broadcaster Doordarshan was to educate & inform, and to create an Indian identity. “In reality, it was a dull, over bureaucratized public broadcasting entity and was perceived as little more than a mouth piece for the government of the day. Its news coverage rarely rose above what critics derided as ‘protocol news’- reports on government ministers inaugurating a major industrial project or receiving a foreign dignitary“ (Thussu, 2007)
In the 1970’s, partial privatization of airwaves introduced advertising on the state broadcaster, which was followed by sponsored programmes. This process received a boost as India opened up to transnational infotainment corporation in the 1990’s. “At the beginning of the 1990’s, there was no TV industry worth the name in India, by 2007 more than 300 digital channels were operating, including some joint ventures with international broadcasters” (Thussu, 2007).
Between 1990’s and early 2000’s India’s news TV sector saw phenomenal  growth in the number of dedicated news channels: from 1 in 1998 to nearly 40 in 2007, most of which were national, but many international in reach, some catered to the regional markets. Later Deregulation of the Indian TV news sector (in which government allows  foreign investment upto 26%) has partly been responsible for the boom of both national & transnational channels, as private investors have sensed new opportunities for revenue and influence by going into the television news business. Although the highly competitive news sector attracts only 4% of national viewership, its share of TV advertising revenue is nearer 11% (Credit Suisse, 2006)
The television sector in India has grown at 12%p.a. (2007-2010) and is estimated to continue this strong growth, owing to healthy advertising spends and increased penetration in semi-urban and rural areas, mainly by DTH. By the end of 2011, the industry is estimated to reach US$ 7.1 billion, a growth of 14% over 2010. (Deloitte, ASSOCHAM India, 2011)
In most of the developing nations, the privatization of the airwaves have opened up new territories for transnational media corporations, as the generally discredited state broadcasters have lost their monopolies, generating a debate about the ideological imperatives of a commercially driven media system, dominated by a few extremely powerful multimedia conglomerates.
As TV news has been commercialized, the need to make it entertaining has become a crucial priority for broadcasters. As a result, they are forced to borrow & adapt characteristics from entertainment genres and modes of conversation with informal communicative style, with  emphasis on personalities, style, storytelling skills and spectacles. Its tendency to follow a tabloid approach its capacity to circulate trivia, blend fact with fiction and even distort the truth is troubling. (Downie & Kaiser, 2002; Gitlin, 2002; Anderson, 2004)
These are supplemented by the new genre of reality TV and its relatives – docudramas, celebrity talk shows, court & crime enactments, and rescue missions. The growing global popularity of such infotainment driven programming indicates the success of this hybrid formula. This media concentration has contributed to a tendency in journalism towards a socially dysfunctional focus on the ‘bottomline’. (Baker 2007)
Currently TV news is a study in the poverty that comes with plenty. More channels means more frenzied competition, and the less sense the viewer gets of the reality behind the political spokesman’s bluster, or the anchor’s chummy wrapping up of some non discussion’. (Ninan, 2006)
The ‘public’ aspect of news is overridden by private corporate interests. The woeful lack of coverage of rural problems regarding regular suicides by small farmers and the negligible reporting of developmental issues of health, hygiene, educational and employment equality, demonstrates that such grim stories do not translate into ratings for urban, westernized viewers & are overshadowed by the diversion of infotainment.
Globalization, the new economic order of the world, has opened the floodgates to a cut– throat competition virtually in every sphere of our activities. The media and communication industries have immensely contributed in facilitating overall globalization. The impact of globalization is not merely an economic phenomenon, dictated by the market dominated corporate capitalism but also very powerful cultural content, shaped by the inseparable intertwining of advertising, television and internet.(Thussu 2005, Rao 2009)
Corporatization of Television
The dictionary meaning of Corporatization is ‘The imposition of corporate values or practices; commercialization’.
Economic liberalization, globalization and trans-border exposure have created multi channel environment of broadcasting. Still no one is sure about the useful information and meaningful entertainment being dished out to the audiences in the sub-continent. Of course, competition has provided certain amount of restraint on the part of broadcasting companies and has led to major modifications in programme planning to meet the audiences’ expectations. In doing so, the aim has been to increase viewership in order to have better business.(Agrawal, 2008)
The continuous process of expansion in Indian media industry has accelerated the growth of mergers, joint ventures and alliances. Last five years have witnessed takeovers of small and week firms by growing giants of media. Some comparatively small players are expected to leave the business or let them eat up in coming years. As per argued by free marketers, it might be a case of just ‘market-oriented’ competition but keeping in view the current practices and growing shared interests among corporations, it does not indicate a healthy sign. Absence of any cross-ownership law has fostered market forces to run for dominance and monopolization.(Hassan, 2012)
Globalization, foreign direct investment and technological complexities have put the Indian media in the hands of global barons. Many Indian TV channels are already being absorbed by international corporate hegemonies along with small studio and film companies.
[The Walt Disney Company to Acquire Leading Indian Children's Channel, Hungama TV & Makes Strategic Investment in UTV Software Communications; PR Newswire]
Television Then & Now
In the late 80’s cable and satellite television made CNN and BBC world associable to their Indian television viewers. During 1995-2003, new form of journalism came into force in India. India’s television landscape, dominated by two state controlled TV stations, was ‘invaded’ by numerous indigenous and foreign news channels. Today multiple language television news channels compete with news paper circulation impacting the way newspapers report their news. The race for television rating points (TRP’s) governs the production style of Television news stations. Market-pressures compel increasingly bottom line oriented main stream media, with a new emphasis on entertainment and lifestyle coverage. India has also witnessed the launch of mainly regional as well as Indian editions of foreign magazines.
Media functions under multiple constraints, including political pressures of ruling parties and opposition parties, proprietary demands to meet the bottom line, and the pressure to sustain the business interest in a regulatory environment, increasing cover price, pressure to depend more on advertisers than on subscribers, advertising/ commercial pressures/ priorities, labour and technology issues, possibilities of government censorship and lobbying (Ravindran, 1997, Vilanilam 2005)
The foreign broadcasting companies are accused of carrying out very different balancing game. This relates to broadcast of alien values life-style and social ethos. In an edited book International Satellite Broadcasting in South Asia these have been discussed at length by a number of scholars who have carried out a series of researches in several Asian countries. It has raised the problem of cultural domination and ‘undesirable’ influences on the audiences. Since most news channels are in the hands of private companies, their personal agenda colors the content of the news reports. Development messages, unless of commercial value, find little or no place in the bulletins. Every accident, human tragedy, war or even personal matters are being turned into  opportunities for television newscasters, that too because of commercial considerations.
The new face of journalism on television news channels has been criticized for a ‘sting operation’ wave post- Tehlka expose (on casting couch in Bollywood, false sex-racket by Delhi school teacher funded by local business man leading to ban of the channel by Government of India). Scholars have pointed out issues like ‘creation of news instead of covering news’ (Agarwal 2005, Sultana 2008), ‘dismal handling of news during disasters and tragedies’ (Simon and Rai 2008, Gupta 2009) and ‘news as entertainment’ (Thussu 2007).
The status of the ‘fourth estate’ is now transformed into a trade with its own hierarchies and remuneration- based value systems; social commitment of the past is no longer an asset for a journalist or media professional. In the current situation, the press or the media in general are operated by businessmen for business goals, occasionally pleading for justice for the poor, but most of them ignoring the immense problems faced by the majority of the population.
The advent of electronic media has given glamour and money to journalists as professionals and the dotcom boom provided them with an alternative career avenues. A few journalists have become lobbyist and owner of public relations agencies as revealed recently in the ‘radia gate’ scandal (Sharma 2010), the reality of which reflected in press content as well as organizational structure.
Entertainment has become the mainstay and the staple diet for Indian television viewers, where there is a blurring of differences between public service broadcasting and private television channels. Day in and day out, song and dance sequences, soap operas and Indian commercial films remain the staple for Indian viewers in over a dozen languages apart from Hindi and English. There has been a growing viewership for television in India. Except for a few development messages relating to literacy and health, little is now on the television screen about the poor. Transnational television channels have their agenda to attract the urban English speaking elite who are least concerned about poor, though they talk a great deal about development.(Agrawal, 2005)
“I believe the onslaught of global media would be confined to a small proportion of elite multilingual viewers without touching a large majority who need it most for their survival” (Agrawal, 2005). Analysis shows how the forces of market economy, focused towards profits, have begun to shape television programming philosophy, content and programme schedule. The profit motive is the strongest driving force; the television channels are willing to do anything that would help increase the TRP.
The Transparent and Opaque realities of News Channels
Present realities include multiple channels, TRP wars, regional channels, technological advancement, competition with online media, commodification of news, sting operations of varied nature and relaxation in foreign direct investments (FDI) norms by the government’ (TRAI 2008). Mobile news updates also compete with TRP ratings today.
There are various content sharing agreements and joint ventures not known to the public. The ownership structures have created newer avenues of profiteering. Instead of agitating for any contemporary social cause, they make strategic alliances for their own financial and other interests.
Sensationalism and yellow journalism have become a part of today’s media. Every event with considerable news value has to go through sensationalisation and bollywoodisation. Celebrities are using news channels to promote themselves as well as their films. Also the political parties are seen promoting themselves with the help of media. Unabashedly, Media sometimes shows inclination towards a political party and thus its stand reflects in its reporting. Media must be careful in allotting space in terms of news and pictures to people who are clearly not well intentioned like criminals, thugs, and hate mongers of various kinds. Sometimes media glorifies them by giving them space. It is a duty of a reporter to look more closely at the issues of social change. In a developing society relationships are changing and the whole process of social change is complex. Instead of looking at them superficially they need to go deeper in terms of finding out as to what is happening in terms of social change. In earlier times job of media was considered to provide the government critical support and not to oppose it. However, during the last nearly two decades the situation has undergone a lot of change. In a developing country like India handing over everything including our current affairs to the market is a dangerous trend.

Cases undertaken to analyse the trends in current Media
1.                  Tehelka , 2001
2.                  Coverage of 26/11 by electronic media, 2008
3.                  Radia tapes controversy, 2010
4.                  Nirbhaya- Rape case, 2012
Review of Literature
The topic of the present research is to understand the trends of journalistic practices on television news channels in India from 2001-2010. The researcher tried to find out whether any previous researches were conducted on the same topic or not. No past study conforming exactly to this subject of the said research has been discovered, at least, nothing came to the notice of this researcher.
For this research study a literature review was done using findings of the cases from various websites and even newspaper articles. . The researcher managed to find very few results for the article search by first doing an extensive net search through search engines and online research journals.
Research Methodology
Statement of Problem :
The news channels in India moving away from news to views in order to grab more eyeballs
Is it:
1.                  Investigative Journalism/ sensationalism by Tehlka and its coverage on television news channels
2.                  Breaking of standards of Profession in 26/11 news coverage
3.                  Credibility of Media at stake in Radiagate coverage
4.                  Hogging the limelight, In the garb of creating  social awareness in the Nirbhaya Rape case
Objectives of the research :
The researcher has attempted to understand the patterns of news coverage by the television channels and communicate the same to the viewers. The journalistic ethics involved in the coverage and degree of sensationalism created to maintain ratings of their respective channels.
Importance of the study:
This study would help in knowing the standards of journalism and journalistic ethics in this present era of corporatization of news channels.
Objects of the research:
1.                  Understanding the journalistic trends involved in media
2.                  Breaking of journalistic ethics by media professionals
3.                  Involvement of political, business and corporate entities in the making of         news
4.                  The corporate nexus responsible for change of trends
Research Methodology:
This research has made use of Qualitative research methodology by analyzing the media trends of four purposive samples from 2001-2012
Tools of research:
The researcher has used online surfing, newspaper articles, and extensive net search to trace the history of these four case studies.
Data Analysis:
A content analysis on the data obtained from various literatures on these cases was obtained and a conclusion of the same was extracted and stated in the findings section.
Findings of 2001 Tehlka expose
Tehelka is an Indian weekly political magazine under the editorship of Tarun Tejpal known for its undercover exposé style of journalism. Its cover price is Rs 20 per issue. The publication began in 2000 as a news website, Tehelka.com. It transitioned through a printed newspaper format until it became a magazine in 2007.
It first received local prominence in 2001 when it exposed match-fixing in Indian professional cricket. The same year, an investigation it carried out on defense procurement, called Operation Westend, received international attention, and led to the resignation of the then Indian Defense Minister.
In 2001, Tehelka.com exposed the alleged culture of bribery at the Ministry of Defence (India) (MoD) by setting up a bogus London-based company, and contacted MoD officials for selling thermal binoculars to the Government of India. Tehelka claimed to have filmed Bangaru Laxman (then President of the ruling party BJP) taking a bribe for helping the bogus company in procuring government contracts. During the process, Tehelka also met Jaya Jaitly, the head of Samata Party and a close aide of the defence minister George Fernandes. There was an outcry when the scandal broke, and George Fernandes resigned although he was not accused of taking bribe. Laxman also resigned, while Jaya Jaitly accused Tehelka journalists of being Pakistani agents and raised doubts over the authenticity of the tapes. The tapes were sent to UK for forensic examination, and were confirmed as genuine.
 “We do not like to induce, we do not like to trap, we do not like to pay. … It is a superbly clean operation, “Extraordinary stories need extraordinary methods.”” said Harinder Baweja, Tehelka’s Editor for News and Investigations in an interview
From the perspective of squeaky-clean journalism, Tehlka journalists have broken two rules: Firstly, misrepresenting ones identity as a journalist and secondly, making false promises about confidentiality. Recently many Indian news channels have been following Tehelka’s lead by staging taped sting operations — many of them involving sex — and showing the footage, but some people question where the line between the public interest and lewd sexual gratification has been drawn.
Tehelka and other news outlets like it, bring out a paradox in journalistic ethics: If getting the truth is paramount then don’t reporters sometimes bend the truth to get the story?
Findings of 2008, Mumbai terrorist attack
For 6o hours Mumbai burned with the blaze of terror attacks on 26 November 2008. In these 6o hours, it claimed almost 200 lives as many places of the city went under siege. And for 60 hours, all the Indians, irrespective of their religious or regional identities, were glued to their TV sets. The attacks, which drew widespread condemnation across the world, began on 26 November 2008 and lasted until 29 November, killing at least 173 people and wounding at least 308.
As the terror unfolded on the streets of Mumbai, television channels gave a minute-by-minute coverage of information about the November 2008 attacks, some of which was considered confidential. News reports continually focused on each and every move of the terrorist attacks at Taj and all the other areas of Mumbai. People remained glued to their television sets as the dreadful drama unfolded on television. While brave officers lost their lives, television journalists held microphones before distraught people to know their reactions. Every minute, channels gave ‘live coverage’ about Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attacks. As the ‘Breaking News’ flashed across all the television channels, one wondered if it was ‘yet another scoop’! Brave journalists rushed with their cameramen to capture live footage of terrorism in Mumbai
All ethics of journalism took a backseat as reporters strived to outdo each other to grab eyeballs and boost ratings. Concerned viewers who tuned in to get the updates on the vicious massacre had no choice but hear reporters ‘shouting’ out the news as the saga unfolded. Breaking all security cordons, and putting not only theirs but also the lives of other security personnel in jeopardy, members of the media bloated in self importance as their reports went on-air. Reporting live, many journalists spiced up their coverage by speaking in a panic stricken tone, which became ‘the’ formula to catch the viewer’s attention. Many reporters from the Hindi electronic media resorted to stunts like lying on the ground to relay the news, which was clearly unnecessary as their very own camera crew were standing!
The media has also been widely criticized for not exercising restraint while giving details of the operations conducted by the forces. At a press conference, Suresh Mehta, then chief admiral of navy, also blasted the media for their irresponsible reporting. He said, “Do you really have to give minute-by-minute coverage? Media is an enabling instrument, but today it is a disabling instrument.”
Findings of 2010, Radia tapes
Over 10 days after the story broke in the Open Magazine & Outlook in Nov, 2010, the rest of the media seemed to have gotten into the act of covering the Radiatapes – especially the ethics of journalists on the tapes.
Top journalists were heard discussing who should be in the next cabinet with influential lobbyist Niira Radia after the 2009 general elections. Radia worked as a lobbyist for two of India's biggest industrialists: Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, and Ratan Tata, whose conglomerate's interests include phone operator Tata Teleservices. In the taped conversations, Niira Radia was apparently pushing for A. Raja, a south Indian politician, to be reinstated as a minister.
The 'Radiagate' controversy triggered a heated debate about media ethics. "The lesson that the media should learn is that they are really judged in the court of the people. And what they do must not only seem legal but also proper. And over the years they have become a little complacent because of their closeness with the rich and the powerful." The controversy had caused heated debates among journalists, in press clubs and other forums.
And finally, while the trickle of coverage becomes a deluge – it would be good to remember that the journalists in this entire affair are basically smart deceivers – and the bigger story is that of who benefits from this entire episode and leaks.
Findings of 2012, Delhi Gang Rape case
It was late evening on Dec 16, 2012 when a 23 year old physiotherapy intern who was headed home after watching a movie with one of her male friend, was raped in a moving Delhi bus. The private bus with tinted windows and curtains was under the control of a group of men with criminal mindset, the driver and conductor included. Once the bus began moving, the six men in the bus caught hold of the woman and dragged her to the back. Her male friend was also assaulted when he tried to fight them. If that was not enough, one or more than one of them tortured her with an iron rod. Later they were dumped on the roadside, where they lay naked till the time someone cared to inform the police. The woman struggled for life at the Safdarjung Hospital and was later shifted to Singapore by the Government authorities citing critical condition of the patient, where she succumbed to her injuries on Dec 29, 2012.
The media in this case propagated mob justice by posing speculative questions on their debate sessions and motivating many from the Urban area to uphold their ‘right to expression’ as their fundamental right. The whole country had witnessed mob outrage in all urban settlements. It has been observed that before this case being reported in the media many such incidents have taken place but hardly any have been reported so aggressively. The media is always in the lookout for personalities been involved in a high profile case as these would help them grab more TRP’s (i.e. advertising revenues in turn). It was observed that even during the broadcast of such grave news media did not take any precaution of not airing obscene advertisements during the short breaks. Here, we see the sensitivity of media towards the society.
There were many fingers pointing at the role of media in:
-          Abject vulnerability of the middle class when such issues are raised by the media
-          Creating hysteria and absolute no restraint while reporting such a sensitive issue
-          Government broadcast coming forward to fend off the attacks from their private partners
-          The amount of media attention the case received
-          Media treatment accorded to the case
-          Sensationalisation of the issue and not giving space to rational thought with a commitment to human rights.
-          Imbalanced panel discussions having no regards for fair standard trials
-          Self life of the case as per media interest in pursuing the same on their respective channels
Today we find courtrooms in our house every evening, where speculative journalism is propagated in each and every section of the urban society. When & Where will the major population issues find it’s due on such national channels. Do we need a replication of such incidents to take place in an urban setup for the issue to get its due on national media? Is the rural population insignificant section of India?
Conclusion
1.                  2001 Tehelka exposure :
Tehelka used a wily combination of impersonation, hidden cameras and bribery (all these being culpable offences under Indian Law) to get their tape recordings. The Government of India contends that if public interest was a prime concern, the tapes should not have gone public in such an explosive fashion. But on the other hand, it can be argued quite logically that if the tapes had not been revealed so spectacularly, they would have lost much of their impact. No doubt the largest party in the ruling alliance had been shaken, and some of their political allies unnerved. The Defence Minister had resigned, and higher echelons of the armed forces had been tainted to some extent. This leads us to the crux of the matter. What was the real purpose of this expose- Public interest or Tehelka's fame and fortune?
2.                  26/11 coverage by media :
It was good that media covered the issue so that it can reach to the people but the issue was sensationalized by the media.  The ethics of journalism was forgotten as the reporters strived to outdo each other to grab the attentions from the audiences and boost ratings. Breaking all security concerns, and putting not only theirs but also the lives of other security personnel in danger, members of the media overfed themselves in self importance as their reports went on-air. Was it right to give information about live operations?
3.                  2010 Radiagate issue :
In showing their proximity to political and business bosses, journalists have been probing new depths in unethical behaviour. Ultimately, they have to ask themselves why they are in the trade: to push agendas, to be kingmakers and queen makers or simply to do a job?
The question a journalist’s face post-Radiagate is: Who should set the norms? Some journalists have their own norms and principles, irrespective of the media organisation they work for. And a few media organizations have specific rules and codes. These codes cover actual favors taken by journalists, including freebies. But what do you do about influence mongering? Is that a corrupt practice? There can be no code, nor any policing on this.
  1. 2012: Delhi Gang Rape Case
Though the incident unveiled the impotency of the government machinery as it has always in the past, the media was even to blame for their role in continuously pursuing the issue; at the cost of invasion of privacy; in the name of creating public opinion.
In the past few years, media (specially broadcast media) has diverged into opinionated journalism practices, where not even an hour’s breather is allotted for the story to unfold. Today the concerned machineries are expected to tell the media within a couple of hours of an incident occurring: who the culprit is. If they cannot they will be badgered. Here the complete picture of the case becomes secondary and prominence is emphasized on punishing and proving guilty anyone whose priama facie appears to be the culprit (as per their own findings).
There were many such conjectures coined into the public discourse while Delhi Gang Rape case was subjudice in the court of law. Is this type of vigilantism from media acceptable in a democratic country like India where Judiciary is a sacred institution?
Conclusion
According to our constitution we have freedom of speech and expression but efforts must be made to reach as near the truth as possible.
About the sting operations carried out by News Media, it has become a source for higher TRPs than the principle on which they are conducted in the first place. The channels may defend their stand under the guise of investigative journalism, and no one can explain the loose ends that the sting operations seem to leave behind.
Editors and owners of the media industry must pay attention to proper self-regulation that would ensure accountability, and lessen its dependence on advertising and marketing strategies, and the increasing commoditization of news. Newspaper owners and broadcast media managers must recognize that news is not an unethical practice of ‘paid news’ and ‘private treaties’, and this be dispensed with as quickly as possible. Journalists must have the product. They must ensure that increase in readership or viewership is not attained at the cost of credibility. Media’s right to express what they believe to be true, just and fair should not be misappropriated for profit-motives or commercial interests of an individual or organization. For this to happen, media workers have to assert their own economic independence, affinity for truth and above all their self-esteem.

The growing intrusion of media into the political domain in many countries has led critics to worry about the approach of the ‘media driven republic’ in which media will usurp the functions of political institutions.


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