Came across this very interesting article that Reliance Industries has sent a legal notice to TV channels for covering a press conference-- http://www.newslaundry.com/2013/01/itna-sannata-kyun-hai-bhai/ --, now all of the channels are cowing down.
Ideally one would expect them to shout that they have been sent a legal notice and this is against freedom of speech. If anyone has to be sent a legal notice then it should be the people who had called for the press conference. Where is "India demands to know" - Arnab Goswami. This is a national interest story, and perfect for TRP if played properly!
TV channels are only a medium of information, they should not be held accountable for the information as long as "it is not their people (reporters and anchors) who are talking and their is no smart editing".
A reporter or an anchor can misinterpret an information in which case there is a possibility of a defamation. Also using the tools of editing, views can be twisted leading to misinformation, again raising a possibility of defamation. But when the medium is showing the view of an individual or an organisation then that medium cannot be held to accountability.
Its funny and extremely dangerous trend, it is this kind of media that people tend to take serious and as a gospel of truth!!
Therefore, maybe it would be the best in the interest of the larger people if we put government regulation in all over the media space.
The plus point of having a full fledged govt controlled media section is that most people would know 'The Usual Suspects' if the media is not honest in its job. Behind the garb of freedom of expression and this entire self regulation talk, if the media is not forthcoming with information and frank in its expression then we have a failing fourth estate.
Either now is one of those moments when TV channels should speak up once again on freedom of expression and self-regulation or shut up and let the government regulate it.
Would love to hear some counter views.
Showing posts with label Parody. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parody. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
Censor Board for awareness
Few days ago I was having a conversation with my friends. And I made a remark that the govt's idea of placing a tobacco warning ad is not important in movies, in the way its being made, because it doesn't look good aesthetically. And to an extent the visual appeal can be lost as well. My friend's argument was these advertisements' are necessary as they are for awareness so that people would take care of themselves.
So this actually got me thinking. Does it actually change behavior of individuals? I don't know. But if that is the line of idea then I have many suggestion that the govt of India should do.
In all movies, they should put up a disclaimer that giving and taking bribe is a criminal offence, in the same way as they do for tobacco smoking! That will bring awareness regarding bribes.
All movies do take a certification in terms of the violence and parental guidance, which is fine, honestly its a good thing. But then if the censor board wants to take this influencing the people seriously then I believe they should also take some measure in the do the same for TV news channels. That would be essential, like a little disclaimer running under all News Anchor's who are over enthusiastic during debates. The disclaimer should be something on the lines stating: "He is shouting to gain TRPs, please read and understand the issue at discussion before forming your opinion."
In fact all TV news channels should state a disclaimer, and this should be stated by the person conducting the debate or reporter who is reporting, something on the lines 'Please read up on the issue before coming out with your opinion. We are merely trying to build your interest.' Or at least this should run as a ticker at the bottom!!
My view is that the best way of awareness is to make a sensible advertisement and playing it between breaks or before the actual commencement of the movie. An advertisement like this -- click here --could have more impact than putting up the disclaimers that they are doing as of now. If the idea is awareness then perhaps this is a better option. If the idea to actually lookout for the benefit of the people then the other way around it would be to increase the excise duty every year by 10 per cent and see the result at the end of five years.
As far as the news channels are concerned, I am pretty serious over there. They should run a disclaimer. If they can't keep up with journalism then they might rescue themselves with disclaimers.
So this actually got me thinking. Does it actually change behavior of individuals? I don't know. But if that is the line of idea then I have many suggestion that the govt of India should do.
In all movies, they should put up a disclaimer that giving and taking bribe is a criminal offence, in the same way as they do for tobacco smoking! That will bring awareness regarding bribes.
All movies do take a certification in terms of the violence and parental guidance, which is fine, honestly its a good thing. But then if the censor board wants to take this influencing the people seriously then I believe they should also take some measure in the do the same for TV news channels. That would be essential, like a little disclaimer running under all News Anchor's who are over enthusiastic during debates. The disclaimer should be something on the lines stating: "He is shouting to gain TRPs, please read and understand the issue at discussion before forming your opinion."
In fact all TV news channels should state a disclaimer, and this should be stated by the person conducting the debate or reporter who is reporting, something on the lines 'Please read up on the issue before coming out with your opinion. We are merely trying to build your interest.' Or at least this should run as a ticker at the bottom!!
My view is that the best way of awareness is to make a sensible advertisement and playing it between breaks or before the actual commencement of the movie. An advertisement like this -- click here --could have more impact than putting up the disclaimers that they are doing as of now. If the idea is awareness then perhaps this is a better option. If the idea to actually lookout for the benefit of the people then the other way around it would be to increase the excise duty every year by 10 per cent and see the result at the end of five years.
As far as the news channels are concerned, I am pretty serious over there. They should run a disclaimer. If they can't keep up with journalism then they might rescue themselves with disclaimers.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Some things never change!
I have now started making a lot of those one man surveys, that Khushawant Singh used to make. And have come to some bizarre conclusions. It seems the Jal Board of nearly all the cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. -- in the country love to own tankers of pathetic condition. These tankers are supposed to take water to areas facing water shortage. And guess what, none of the respondents of my survey remember to have never seen a water tanker that did not spill water on the road!
In fact one of my friends in Delhi said, "The easiest way to find if a water tanker has passed a road is to see if there is any trace of water on the road."
Another friend from Mumbai had said, "While there is scarcity of water in the city its pissing off to see water leaks and water spilling all over the road from a government owned (jal board) water tanker."
I guess there are certain things never change.
In fact one of my friends in Delhi said, "The easiest way to find if a water tanker has passed a road is to see if there is any trace of water on the road."
Another friend from Mumbai had said, "While there is scarcity of water in the city its pissing off to see water leaks and water spilling all over the road from a government owned (jal board) water tanker."
I guess there are certain things never change.
Friday, February 11, 2011
'Jago re'
Once in a while its good to be on a very long vacation, there is lots of time on our hands to look at what has been happening around the world and reflect on it.
It was interesting to read about how the so called strong economies of the slowdown year (2008) are getting a bit shaky -- Canada, China, India and Germany. That’s something to worry about especially if you are living in one of them. Maybe it might us a chance to make some money, the mid 2009 way. Turmoil in Middle East and North Africa, whooha, it would be good fun to read some of the articles by conspirator theorist. It may give some nice ideas on writing short stories, probably even a novel.
Falling skeletons from the 'cabinet' of the Indian government. It seems the so called smart businessmen are not so smart. Their smartness is more a result of willful negligence on the part of our so called leaders of natural assets like spectrum, oil fields, mines etc.
Ambani's were famous of pocketing the government for their benefit, the Radiia tapes have put a blot on Ratan Tata as well. But who cares, most people will not fail to praise the advertisement which are part of the 'Jago re' campaign and fall flat on their face when the time of action comes. Ironically the advertisement is supported by a Tata group company. Wonder if they will shut it down.
This reminds me of an incident. One day, I went with a friend to a nearby mom and pop store. There was one customer shouting over the shopkeeper. Apparently the shopkeeper was trying to sell an expired product. It was his bad luck; the customer caught the plot and threatened that if he tries to pull the trick again, the shopkeeper will have to deal with the consumer complaint department.
This threat was the result of an advertisement campaign by the state government. The ad was on the lines that consumers’ should not allow themselves to be cheated and if they notice something like this then they can get help from the consumer complaint forum. The ad used to end with a quip "Jago grahank jago". (Wake-up customers wake-up)
Coming back to the scene of the incident. After the customer left, the storekeeper turned to his friend, who was also present there -- "Grahank aisa jaga hai ki sone ka naam hi nahin leta". (The customer has woken up in a way that they are not even thinking of falling asleep.)
It would be nice if the people of the Republic (of India) someday also ‘wake-up’ the way it has been put up in the advertisement campaign. Perhaps then we will get the chance to fulfill our tryst with destiny.
It was interesting to read about how the so called strong economies of the slowdown year (2008) are getting a bit shaky -- Canada, China, India and Germany. That’s something to worry about especially if you are living in one of them. Maybe it might us a chance to make some money, the mid 2009 way. Turmoil in Middle East and North Africa, whooha, it would be good fun to read some of the articles by conspirator theorist. It may give some nice ideas on writing short stories, probably even a novel.
Falling skeletons from the 'cabinet' of the Indian government. It seems the so called smart businessmen are not so smart. Their smartness is more a result of willful negligence on the part of our so called leaders of natural assets like spectrum, oil fields, mines etc.
Ambani's were famous of pocketing the government for their benefit, the Radiia tapes have put a blot on Ratan Tata as well. But who cares, most people will not fail to praise the advertisement which are part of the 'Jago re' campaign and fall flat on their face when the time of action comes. Ironically the advertisement is supported by a Tata group company. Wonder if they will shut it down.
This reminds me of an incident. One day, I went with a friend to a nearby mom and pop store. There was one customer shouting over the shopkeeper. Apparently the shopkeeper was trying to sell an expired product. It was his bad luck; the customer caught the plot and threatened that if he tries to pull the trick again, the shopkeeper will have to deal with the consumer complaint department.
This threat was the result of an advertisement campaign by the state government. The ad was on the lines that consumers’ should not allow themselves to be cheated and if they notice something like this then they can get help from the consumer complaint forum. The ad used to end with a quip "Jago grahank jago". (Wake-up customers wake-up)
Coming back to the scene of the incident. After the customer left, the storekeeper turned to his friend, who was also present there -- "Grahank aisa jaga hai ki sone ka naam hi nahin leta". (The customer has woken up in a way that they are not even thinking of falling asleep.)
It would be nice if the people of the Republic (of India) someday also ‘wake-up’ the way it has been put up in the advertisement campaign. Perhaps then we will get the chance to fulfill our tryst with destiny.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
DOGs!!
There is a very posh area in Delhi called Golf Link. And there are lots of nice rich people. Now why was nice and rich people mentioned together? Well they are rich is a fact and the testimony would be by visiting the area. All sorts of costly cars are available also because one look at the house would confirm about their richness. Why they are nice? Cause in no other colony, block or area will any one see fat street dogs!!!
Now these dogs have a peculiarity. They chase cars and bikes, which is not new. But they chase only if the vehicle is fast. But if the same vehicle goes slow in front of them they wouldn't move.
Some of my friends will approach the area or where these dogs are around in herd at a fast pace and then slow down, apparently in such a scenario dogs don't chase them.
On asking them why so? The reply was
"These dogs behave like Mamata Banerjee."
Even my reaction was the "what? can you explain it?"
The reply was quite intriguing, "Look when Tata's wanted the Nano plant in West Bengal, She made a ruckus and so the company left. Now she doesn't talk about the Nano at all. Rather she tries to avoid it."
That is right.
"Now these dogs too love to chase car or bike that is going fast. But when we come fast they take would stand or start wagging their tale, kind of preparation to chase it. But once we go slow on nearing them, these dogs have no clue what to do."
Guess that makes some sense.
There is only one comment to add here. At least all politicians get compared to animals.
Maybe some one has said it right 'Democracy' is not about running the country its about entertaining the people like a circus.
Now these dogs have a peculiarity. They chase cars and bikes, which is not new. But they chase only if the vehicle is fast. But if the same vehicle goes slow in front of them they wouldn't move.
Some of my friends will approach the area or where these dogs are around in herd at a fast pace and then slow down, apparently in such a scenario dogs don't chase them.
On asking them why so? The reply was
"These dogs behave like Mamata Banerjee."
Even my reaction was the "what? can you explain it?"
The reply was quite intriguing, "Look when Tata's wanted the Nano plant in West Bengal, She made a ruckus and so the company left. Now she doesn't talk about the Nano at all. Rather she tries to avoid it."
That is right.
"Now these dogs too love to chase car or bike that is going fast. But when we come fast they take would stand or start wagging their tale, kind of preparation to chase it. But once we go slow on nearing them, these dogs have no clue what to do."
Guess that makes some sense.
There is only one comment to add here. At least all politicians get compared to animals.
Maybe some one has said it right 'Democracy' is not about running the country its about entertaining the people like a circus.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Press Release - Shoe flingers
The Politicians
For Immediate Release
Contact -
All senior leaders
Email: politicianssafety@thugs.com
SHOES TO BE BANNED IN ALL COUNTRIES
A New Security Program Will Be Initiated For All Senior Leaders
In purview of the recent events we (all senior leaders of the different A-Z countries) have decided to bring in a law where by wearing of shoes will be banned. This will be done to deter the new breed of terrorists that have cropped up, we need to disarm them, ‘We MUST DISARM’ them.
List of Victims –
George W Bush
Wen Jiabao
Palaniappan Chidambaram
Therefore all journalists will go around bare foot from hence forth. This will also be the new identification method, any one without a shoe shall be considered as a journalist and a maximum security must be made when they are present.
India - Because of the yesterday’s event and breach of HM security and impending elections, for safety reasons all people who will be allowed to meet the leaders or aspiring leaders will have to remove their shoes and leave it with the security experts.
Some parties have shown concern on the issue of 'stinking socks' but those will come under the scanner of the UN as chemical weapons. And as per the UN charter they will be covered under the WMD rules. For now we shall request that journalists should stay away from using such chemical weapons as they will not only harm the leader but common people as well. The fourth pillar of democracy must ensure the safety of its citizens.
Any journalist found carrying out sting operations by wearing shoes and slippers will be tried under the NSA acts.
Also all party meeting has been called so that they can approach the election commission on this issue. And all political parties accept these as standard norms due to the unusual circumstances caused by the financial meltdown.
p.s. – some one needs to be blamed why not use this as an opportunity to blame the bankers just as every one else is blaming them.
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