TV news channels must introspect on their noisy debates, fake narratives, and inviting inflammatory guests: India’s Information & Broadcasting Minister

Anurag Thakur called on the mainstream media channel to highlight and create a strong future for broadcasting in the coming era

Team PGurus

September 21, 2022

Anurag Thakur called on the mainstream media channel to highlight and create a strong future for broadcasting in the coming era

I&B Minister pitches for bringing back neutrality in news

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur slammed television news channels for noisy debates by inviting guests who are polarising and spreading false narratives. “In my personal opinion the biggest threat to mainstream media is not from new age digital platforms, but rather the mainstream media channel itself…Your decisions regarding the guest, the tone, and visuals define your credibility in the eyes of the audience, said Thakur while speaking at AIBD General Conference 2022, organized by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development on Monday evening.

“Your decisions regarding the guest, the tone, and visuals – define your credibility in the eyes of the audience. The view may stop for a minute to watch your show, but will never trust your anchor, your channel or brand as a trusted and transparent source of news”, said Thakur adding that “If you decide to invite guests who are polarizing, who spread false narratives, and who shout at the top of their lungs – the credibility of your channel goes down.”

The Minister exhorted the broadcasters to present on the occasion not to watch the narrative be defined by soundbites but redefine it yourself and set the terms for the guests and the channel. Posing prodding questions to the audience the Minister asked “Are you going to watch as the younger audience switches and sweeps through the shrill on TV news or are you going to bring back the Neutrality in NEWS and Discussion in DEBATES to stay ahead of the game?”

“Are you going to watch the narrative be defined by soundbites or redefine yourself and set the terms for your guests and channel? Are you going to show visuals that grab eyeballs and inflame anger or show restraint and project visuals in context to showcase the full picture?” Thakur asked questions to the broadcasters present at the conference. He said that this kind of noisy inflamative debating style of TV channels would force the younger audiences to change channels. “Are you going to watch as the younger audience switches and sweeps through the shrill on TV news or are you going to bring back the neutrality in news and discussion in debates to stay ahead of the game?” asked Minister.

Minister of State L Murugan, I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra, Prasar Bharti CEO Mayank Agrawal, and AIBD Director Philomena Gnanapragasa also spoke at the broadcasters’ conference.

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