Three of India's prominent news channels provide a counterview against accusations of inaccuracy, invasion of privacy and insensitivity in handling news.
We posed the following questions to news channels...
- What is your priority— accuracy or immediacy?
- News channels are often accused of intruding into the personal lives of celebrities and public figures. How valid is this argument?
- News channels are accused of sexing up tragedies. Why are journalists repeatedly accused of insensitivity?
- What is your stand on sting operations?
...and this is what they had to say:
NDTV
- Accuracy is important. In a 24-hour news environment, speed is must, but it's critical to cross-check facts. If it means a slight delay, so be it.
- News channels hardly have a monopoly on paparazzi style journalism, a genre introduced and perfected in India by newspapers. Every TV channel or paper, devotes considerable space to celebrity news. It's only a matter of time before it becomes intrusive.
- Both print and TV, haven’t reached a stage of paparazzi style ambush journalism as in the West. Once in a while, some channels do breach the boundaries due to over competitiveness. TV media environment in India is yet to mature, and when it does such incidents will reduce. NDTV has clearly marked its boundaries. If a celebrity wants privacy, we stay away.
- You are unlikely to see too many gory images on NDTV. But which is not to say that they don't go on air on other channels. As I said, everyone has their own line. As far as sound bytes of ‘victims’ are concerned, it's a judgement call by reporters. But again, it’s done only if the person wants to speak. Otherwise, keep your distance.
- Sting journalism is accepted and practised worldwide. Like all journalism, as long as its carried out responsibly, there's nothing wrong with it.
ZEE NEWS
- Accuracy and deadlines are the two major pillars of a news channeul. We always stress on accuracy. No news is allowed on air without verifying it. This mainly applies to news breaks. Unlike other TV channels, Zee news has always maintained accuracy in news.
- Zee News does not support intrusion in personal lives of celebs. though certain newspapers and news channels do. It’s a topic of debate as to what should be the level of intrusion. Now with Aamir Khan remarrying, the media will hound him for bytes and visual, carry reports of the preparation, etc. Whether the media has the right to decide if British journalist Jessica's kid does belong to Aamir, is a matter of debate.
- Video clips that that make you cry and provoke emotional outburst sell like hot cakes. There is nothing new in this. But news channels, like other commercial channel have started using this formula as a shortcut to success. I would not call it being insensitive towards victims of tragedies for the sake of a byte. Bytes from victims are the first hand information that a reporter can gather and put before the people. I am sure that the print media also does the same thing and the news channels are not the sole accused.
- Sting operations are not on our channel’s agenda. Zee News has not been involved in any such operation, unlike other channels, which use it as a medium to create sensation.
STAR NEWS
- In live television news broadcast, news has to be delivered accurately and as fast as possible. Our priority is decided by what the viewer wants. Viewer wants the news to be delivered accurately and at the shortest possible time.
- A person holding a public office will be reported on. If his personal life is affecting his role in the public office, it will be a matter of concern to people and should be reported. As far as celebrities are concerned, drawing the line is important. However, experience shows that such accusations surface invariably when they get a bad press. The guiding principle is public interest.
- We are very sensitive to gory images. However, when a tragedy strikes, it’s important to show the actual clips to underline the gravity of the disaster. Similarly, sound bytes of victims that may seem insensitive at times, are of immense importance. Past experience shows that the government and other agencies gear up their relief and rescue operations only after media highlights it.
- Almost all sting operations by news channels were against corruption in public offices. they have been immensely successful in nailing down the corrupt. Any operation or campaign that helps the common people against the corrupt should be done even more aggressively.
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