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State of Indian Media: News or Noise, Watchdog or Lapdog
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Asmita
3:32
International events are covered from a largely bilateral perspective. H
3:33
He says the same can be said about US media.
However, European counterparts paint an all-rounded picture.
3:34
The traditional weakness of Indian press is that newspapers find it hard to get space. Also, investment is another problem. He opines
3:43
From Bangalore, Broker questions should we not talk about media becoming the lapdog of powerful corporate builders, asks question to N Ram.
3:44
"Business model speaks about the same," says N Ram.
"Myth of independence is only a relative thing made possible by certain socio-political situations.
He referred to the following circumstances of the Emergency
3:46
"There's an inbuilt pressure. There have been some good editors and journalists who stood up and fought. There was an even relationship between proprietors and editors, largely male in those days."
Ram says that as long as the political situation permitted and as long as the State found balance, it leads to productive journalism.
3:47
Investigation isn't just a virtuous deed.
You get viewers, attention and your brand is enhanced by this kind of independent journalism.
But this is limited by proprietary ownership.
3:48
Digital media and digital journalism needs a lot of investment.
3:49
Broker says we have stopped talking about cross-media restrictions and ownership.
Pamela Philipose chips in.
3:50
Philipose says it isn't a question of fashion. Very powerful media houses defeated this as an idea.
3:51
3:52
Philipose goes on to say that managing cross media ownership was a huge success for mainstream newspapers/ TV channels. The biggest newspapers in terms of circulation also has ownership on all kinds of media across the media - even digital spheres.
3:55
She says the other thing is the rise of digital monopoly that's worrying. They possess the capacity to pass off as media but take protection under the garb that they're only intermediaries and so aren't even liable to media rules and regulations.
3:56
She refers to FB controversy - the way it allowed free speech to proliferate and connects it to another concern - if these media organizations set the media narrative, there is very little agency left for credible newspapers/TV channels. they cannot keep up with what we see today.
3:58
Philipose talks about combatting the rise of fake news. She says it requires credible media to have its presence registered in full strength, but we're seeing widespread job loss that would debilitate media in serious ways, allowing pretenders to take over.
3:59
Broker asks Pamela Philipose about the role of responsibility in mending matters where question boils down to audience and civil society.
4:01
For a question if there no scope for live media to come back? Pamela responds that it's a difficult job to revive the media, it needs every support from the ordinary citizen, wherever they are located, whether rural or urban, they must see that they have a stake in media.
In the days of internet, there aren't any silos, information travels across India.
4:02
She refers to Jharkhand vigilante attack which triggered after rumors of child trafficking on Whatsapp, even in a rural place.
She says it's wide reaching to a wide variety of people. Hence, credible media is required.
4:03
Broker questions Ram: "Can anyone in the panel explain to what extent the Editor's Guild is responsible for the state of media houses?"
4:04
Ram replies by saying that you cannot blame the Editor's Guild.
Yes, we would like them to stand up more.
4:05
When media organizations are denied advertising on political grounds, Guild has flagged some issues. And they have called attention to attacks and so on.
They can't be blamed for the trends that are going on.
4:06
Shweta in Delhi asks "Self regulation does not seem to be working with Indian television. What is the alternative?"
4:07
Jawahar Sirkar replies - In 20 years, private television has come of age. Various models have been tried.
Sirkar mentions that he's 'dead against' government intervention.
4:09
He says self regulation must come with a critical mask and the issue was raised in self-regulatory TV body, the 'Tantrum Boy' of Indian television said he would set up a new council.
4:10
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