The biggest threat to mainstream television media is not from new age digital platforms, but rather from the mainstream media channels itself, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Tuesday.
Thakur slammed television news channels for noisy debates by inviting guests who are polarsing and spreading false narratives. “In my personal opinion, the biggest threat to mainstream media is not from new age digital platforms, but rather the mainstream media channel itself...Your decisions regarding the guest, the tone and visuals define your credibility in the eyes of the audience,” said Thakur while speaking at AIBD General Conference 2022, organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development on Monday evening.
“Your decisions regarding the guest, the tone and visuals — define your credibility in the eyes of the audience. The view may stop the audience for a minute to watch your show, but will never trust your anchor, your channel or brand as a trusted and transparent source of news,” Thakur said, adding, “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.”
The Minister exhorted the broadcasters not to let the narrative be defined by soundbites but redefine it “yourself and set the terms for the guests and the channel”.
“Are you going to watch the narrative be defined by soundbites or redefine yourself and set the terms for your guests and channel? 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?” Thakur asked the broadcasters present in the conference.
He said this kind of noisy inflammatory debate would force younger audiences to change channels. “Are you going to watch as the younger audience switches and sweeps through the shrill on TV news or are you going to bring back the neutrality in news and discussion in debates to stay ahead of the game?” asked the Minister.
Minister of State L Murugan, I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra, Prasar Bharti CEO Mayank Agrawal and AIBD Director Philomena Gnanapragasa also spoke on the occasion.