Portrayal of violence on news channels
In order to receive higher and higher TRPs as well as to beat competition, domestic news channels have reverted to adding dollops of sex and violence to their coverage. Though awareness of both is necessary, this content should be within limits.
WE HAVE come very far, from the typical Doordarshan or AIR news format. The time was different and so were audience’s preferences. They were receptive only to the news value. But recently, news channels have sprouted in large number, making the competition of the news business intense. Entertainment has paved its way into news, no matter whichever way it was.
Sex and violence sells more than any other thing in the market. So both were incorporated by the news channels. Awareness of both are necessary but for family viewing programmes, this content should be within limits. Many times, raw, disturbing visuals are shown directly on television. War, deaths, physical assault and bloodshed have become common viewing in news.
Infact, dramatisation of incidents is done, which sometimes shows a brutal incident with all its disturbing details. Visuals of attacks in Iraq war were extensively telecast along with inhumane torture done to the Iraq army videos. Even when the rapist Dhanonjay was hanged, the “event” was also covered on television.
As far as journalistic norms go, such uncensored viewing for all is undoubtedly unethical. One has to stay within limits and keep a check on others. Unfortunately, no one realises it and the process continues. All leading news channels show violence as TRP speaks for it.
But who will realise what goes in the mind of a 8-year-old, when he watches those scenes, or gets provoked to experience something similar?
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