Biggest threat to mainstream media is mainstream media channels itself: Anurag Thakur
New Delhi, Sep 20: Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday made a strong pitch for bringing back neutrality in news, saying shrill debates may get television channels eyeballs but not credibility.
Addressing a function organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Thakur said the biggest threat to mainstream media is not from new age digital platforms, but mainstream media channels itself.
"If you decide to invite guests who are polarising, who spread false narratives and who shout at the top of their lungs, the credibility of your channel goes down. Your decisions regarding the guest, the tone and visuals define your credibility in the eyes of the audience," the minister said.
He said the viewer may stop for a minute to watch a television news show, but will never trust the anchor, the channel or the brand as a transparent source of news.
Thakur said mainstream media organisations have a great challenge to provide truthful, accurate, and reliable news faster, while preserving media ethics and values.
The minister wondered whether the news channels were going to watch the younger audiences switch and sweep through the shrill on TV news or bring back the neutrality in news and discussion in debates to stay ahead of the game.
Are you going to show visuals that grab eyeballs and inflame anger or show restraint and project visuals in context to showcase the full picture, he said.
Thakur also sought to know how television channels would redefine and innovate TV news content, presentation and dissemination to reach the new-age audience who is constantly being fed information via social media platforms.
"Instead of compromising our values in this fierce competition, we must work hard to preserve professionalism. I strongly believe that journalists are duty bound to report news without fabrication, despite temptations to compete with those who propagate false news, Thakur said.
The minister said though broadcast media has always been in the mainstream of journalism, the COVID-19 era has shaped its structure in a more strategic way.
He appreciated the role of Doordarshan and All India Radio for delivering on their mandate of public service during the testing times of the pandemic.
At the AIBD, Prasar Bharti CEO Mayank Agrawal received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022'.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Punjab Kings by four wickets in IPL
Hyderabad, May 19: Sunrisers Hyderabad crushed Punjab Kings by four wickets to end the league phase of the Indian Premier League with 17 points here on Sunday.
Chasing 215, SRH overhauled the target with five balls to spare after opener Abhishek Sharma hammered a 28-ball 66 (6x6s, 5x4s).
SRH were also bolstered by contributions from Rahul Tripathi (33), Nitish Reddy (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (42) along the way.
Earlier in the contest, Punjab Kings were helped by Prabhsimran Singh's quick fire 71 as well as useful contributions from opener Atharva Taide (46) and Rilee Rossouw (49) to post 214/5 on board.
Prabhsimran and Taide added 97 runs from just 55 balls. While Taide scored 46 from 27 balls with five fours and two sixes, Prabhsimran hit seven sixes and four fours for his 45-ball 71.
Rossouw signed off with a 24-ball 49 with four sixes and three fours while stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma produced late fireworks to make 32 not out.
Brief scores:
Punjab Kings 214/5 in 20 overs (Atharva Taide 46, Prabhsimran Singh 71, Rilee Rossouw 49; T Natarajan 2/33).
Hyderabad 215/6 in 19.1 overs (Abhishek Sharma 66, Rahul Tripathi 33, Nitish Reddy 37, Heinrich Klaasen 42; Arshdeep Singh 2/37) by 4 wickets.
