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NRI News
Gulf NRIs
Feel That Indian TV News Channels Need Regulation
Bahrain, May 4, 2007, 2006
Dr. Prem Joshi,
University of Bahrain
GulfÜbased NonÜresident Indians (NRIs) agreed that Indian
Satellite TV news channels, in general, adhere to “ensuring
the objective presentation of news and fair and unbiased comments”,
and also “respecting human rights and dignity”. About
70 percent of the respondents to a recent survey agreed with these
statements. However, the TV news channels are considerably deficient
in “treating controversial public issues in an impartial and
dispassionate manner”. They are also not very successful in
“promoting communal harmony, religious tolerance and international
understanding”. They should have focused more on these issues
as the present times are very critical where all sorts of extremism
are taking roots, especially religious ones.The finding also shows
a lack of creativity in their presentation and also not responding
to their social and commitment and responsibility. These findings
are reported in a study titled “A Survey of Perceptions of
Gulfbased NonÜresident Indians (NRIs!
) on Adhering to Cardinal Principles of Broadcasting and Television
by Indian News Channels”.
The study was carried out by Dr. P.L. Joshi, a well known Professor
at the University of Bahrain and supported by Sweta Joshi, Bahrain
and J. Hemalatha Kuwait. A questionnaire was sent to 1291 NRI’s
in an online survey in six countries of the Gulf region. A total
of 274 responses were received and 222 questionnaires were usable.
NDTV (English) Aaj Tak, Starnews and Zee News, all Hindi news channels,
were included in this survey as these channels are available to
Indian viewers living in the Gulf region. Of the total responses,
31.5 percent were from Bahrain, 18.5 percent from U.A.E, 15.3 percent
from Kuwait, 14.4 percent from Saudi Arabia., 11.3 percent from
Oman and 8.6 percent from Qatar. Many of the respondents are senior
executives, managers, academics, business persons, and housewives.
The survey was commenced on October 1, 2006 and ended on January
31, 2007.
NDTV has emerged as the most popular news channels among the Nonresident
Indians (NRIs) living in the Gulf region. More than 85 percent of
the respondents stated that NDTV is their favorite channel. About
81 percent respondents agreed that NDTV adheres to four, out of
the six cardinal principles of broadcasting.They strongly agreed
that NDTV is considered to be a responsible news channel by having
a variety of programs, experienced anchors and hosts, and semblance
of professionalism. More than 81 percent respondents stated
that NDTV adheres to:
- “promoting the advancement of education and culture”
- “ensuring the objective presentation of news and fair
and unbiased comment”
- “providing programs for the young which, by variety and
content, will inculcate the principles of good citizenship”
- “respecting human rights and dignity”.
However, a few respondents stated that NDTV seems to be leaning
towards certain sections of society and are proÜgovernment.
Aaj T! ak (Hindi channel) is another favorite channel. Only 49 percent
of the respondents stated that Starnews is their favorite channel,
however, Starnews seems to be a favorite channel for female respondents.
Only 32 percent stated that Zee News is their favorite channel,
but 50.24 percent were neutral in their preference.
Furthermore, a majority of the respondents strongly agreed
that none of the news channels really cover news, views and other
programs related to NRI’s. They would like the government
to start an exclusive TV channel devoted for 25 million NRIs living
around the world.
About 75.7 percent of respondents were also in favor of
bringing regulation on the TV news channels in India but
without impairing their innovation and integrated functioning. It
also seems that most of the TV news channels focus their news stories
and analysis mainly on four Cs namely Corruption, Criminals, Celebrities,
and Cricket, thus giving a somewhat stereotyped news and analysis
to the viewers.
The respondents also commented that sensationalization, trivialization,
and tabloidization (Page 3 journalism) are very common in the news
stories of most of the channels. Language of many anchors seems
to be usually closer to “over exaggeration” and body
language usually is hyper. Many news channels, in most cases, have
been presently following the ‘report and forget’ policy.
Many respondents stated that the “Desh Videsh/National Reporter”
program of Starnews appeals to them. On the other hand, a few of
the TV news channels have been overburdened with news related to
celebrities such as AAAAS (Amitabh Bachchan,Aishwarya Rai,Abhisheik
Bachchan,Amar Singh, and Shahrukh Khan) in order to woo their viewers
and improve their Television Rating Points (TRP).This is all trivia
and fluff and some commented that it often looks to them that some
of the news channels are the main medium of mouthpiece for famous
and rich people only.
Furthermore, they are more of entertainmentÜ driven channels
rather than serviceÜoriented. Among many suggestions received,
apart from politics, films and sports were that the coverage should
be extended to developments in the fields of art, culture, science,
literature etc., since they also make news.They should avoid making
socially undesirable characters as heroes. In conclusion, it is
high time for them to shape up and attain higher levels in world
ratings. (Assisted by Sweta Joshi, Bahrain and J. Hema Latha, Kuwait.
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