Stalwarts decry TRP-driven rat race in TV journalism

Eminent journalists of the country opined on Saturday that journalism has changed with time and both journalists and readers will have to adjust themselves to the changing times. 

Addressing a symposium  organized  jointly by Editors' Guild of India and Indore Press Club, Editor-in-Chief of IBN-CNN Rajdeep Sardesai said that TV channels have brought misdeeds in the public but TV journalism is facing crisis of content and ownership. 

Sardesai explained that a number of builders, real estate businessmen, people with strong political support have ventured into the business of TV channel but most of them have suffered losses. 

However, cable operators have made money in the past 20 years. The cable operators switched transmission if any negative news about their local leaders were aired by any channel.  "As far as content is concerned, channels have to dramatise programmes to increase TRP. Many a time stories with no national or public interest are prepared to get ranking.  TV journalism has changed into a box office journalism," said Sardesai.

Senior journalist Shravan Garg expressed serious concern over credibility of news. Increasing involvement of corporate families in media is not good as they and political parties are using media for their vested interests, he decried.   Garg said that the gap between national and regional media is widening.

National media is being identified as club journalism while regional media is limited to small cities and towns. 

"The influence of market on media in big cities is reflected in the content, display and presentation of different media at regional level.  The effect is also a result of the reverberation of the growing influence of regional politicians in Central politics," said Garg.

Senior journalist Seema Mustafa elucidated the difference between present and past journalism. "We can send and access information instantly across the globe".

She said that despite all these present day journalism is missing commitment and ethics.

She appreciated TV journalism for its contribution in uncovering scams and corruption but alleged that most of them ignored small cities and focused on metros only. 

"Media has to become self regulatory and define a code of conduct for itself," said Mustafa.

Ashutosh of IBN7 said the new generation is lucky to witness changes.

"We are moving at great pace and TV journalism has brought about revolution.  Although it has become voice of people, it is facing new challenges too. We will have to rise to the challenges," added Ashutosh. 

Senior journalist Ajay Upadhyay said social media, journalism and media communication are different in character. 

"A new department has emerged which is combination of advertisement as well as editorial.  We have to understand the differences and characters," added Upadhyay.

Secretary of Editors Guild gave an introduction of the topic while president of Press Club Praveen Khariwal delivered the welcome address.