429 shows by Indian news anchors in buildup to LS polls, 229 of them anti-opposition, 116 pro-Modi
Newslaundry releases 'Godi Media's' report card
New Delhi: The pre-poll survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS in 2024 has identified unemployment and inflation as significant factors in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. However, these critical issues have received minimal or no screen time in the mainstream media in the run-up to the elections.
A team from Newslaundry, responsible for producing the popular show ‘TV Newsance’, analyzed the TV shows and debates of six prominent news anchors of the country, often referred to as the ‘Godi Media’ – Amish Devgan (News18), Arnab Goswami (Republic TV), Rahul Shivshankar (Network 18), Sudhir Chaudhary (Aaj Tak), Navika Kumar (Times Now), and Sushant Sinha (Times Now Hindi). They scrutinized the shows aired by these anchors from February 1, 2024, to April 12, 2024, in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha Elections.
According to Manisha Pande, Managing Editor of Newslaundry and the host of TV Newsance, the six anchors conducted 429 shows during this period. A significant 52% (229) were anti-opposition, 116 were Pro-Modi (27%), and 24 of these shows had religious undertones and discussed Hindu—Muslim issues to communalize sensitive subjects. Only 6 shows (1.4%) were Anti-Government and Pro-opposition, while only 5 shows discussed Job and Education combined (1.1%).
Delving into the numbers further, Manisha added that Amish Devgan hosted 49 shows, of which 15 were anti-opposition and 15 were pro-Modi. Arnab Goswami conducted 137 shows, with a significant 73 anti-opposition shows and 32 Pro-Modi shows. Similarly, Rahul Shivshankar moderated 90 shows, with 37 Anti-opposition and 27 pro-Modi topics. Navika Kumar conducted 51 shows, with 33 anti-opposition and 12 pro-Modi shows.
Sushant Sinha hosted 50 shows, with 29 anti-opposition and 15 pro-Modi, while Sudhir Chaudhary presented 52 shows, with 27 anti-opposition and 15 pro-Modi shows.
Manisha specifically highlighted how Arnab Goswami failed to discuss unemployment and inflation in any of his shows, even once but conducted 12 shows on the topic of Pakistan in the buildup to the Lok Sabha Elections in our country.
At a time when the mainstream media should be busy questioning the lapses, failures, and policies of the government, as in an ideal democracy, the media in India is busy glorifying the government, with almost zero criticism, and directing tough questions towards the opposition in a bid to bring their morale down.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
