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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Make polling hours 6am-7pm for May 7 LS polls, Karnataka BJP urges EC citing heatwave
Bengaluru, May 3: Citing the ongoing heatwave in the state, Karnataka BJP on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with a request to modify the polling hours to the 6am-7pm period in the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state that goes to polls on May 7.
Polling is currently scheduled to be held in the second phase in the state in 14 segments in the northern districts between 7am to 6pm on May 7.
"It has become hard to come out and vote between hours 10.00 to 17.00 due to uncontrollable heat. The average heat in those parts (north Karnataka) covering 14 parliamentary constituencies are between 37 and 42 degree (Celsius). The mercury is rising at an alarming level and it would become hard for the electors to come out and vote," BJP's petition said.
The petition highlighted the alarming rise in temperatures, which are expected to go beyond 40 degree Celsius, and also stated that the number of voters over the age of 40 is high and that they are vulnerable to the heatwave.
"To keep up the good spirit of voting, necessary action should be taken," the BJP petition urged the Election Commission, saying, "In this background, it is requested to modify the time of voting in the 14 parliamentary constituencies from 06.00 to 19.00 hours on May 7".
Polling was held between 7 am and 6 pm during Karnataka's first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 14 constituencies on April 26.
