On February 4, 2011, during CNN IBN’s ‘Last Word’ at 10:00 PM, Sri Karan Thapar, one of my favorite TV anchors, expressed concern about the lack of coverage of recent developments in Egypt by Indian media, both electronic and print. The panel, which included prominent editors like Sri Ram of The Hindu, discussed this issue and shared their perspectives.
While all three panelists agreed with Karan’s observation, they provided reasons for the lack of coverage from their viewpoints as intellectuals and editors, which I respect. However, as an ordinary Indian, I began to reflect on whether this situation reflects a fundamental aspect of the Indian worldview.
Our Indian worldview, though strongly influenced by religious faiths and convictions, has been significantly shaped by Western thoughts since the early 20th century, particularly after Independence. While religious influences persist, our worldview is no longer solely based on religious faiths. Historically, the Indian worldview was never exclusively religious.
Swami Vivekananda once remarked that while people in the West focus on economic and political matters, people in India primarily engage in religious activities. Although I cannot recall his exact words, I believe if he were alive today, he might revise his view in light of the media’s rapid evolution. The printed media developed slowly, allowing people to adapt to its demands, but the sudden influx of electronic media has been overwhelming. Initially jolted by this shift, we are now in the process of adjusting our lives to cope with it.
The surge in electronic media, with numerous competing satellite TV channels, has made everyone exceptionally busy. Now Social media only added fuel to the fire. The phrase “No time” has become common; even the laziest person finds no time to enjoy their idleness. People are compartmentalizing their lives, not only from one another but also from themselves. In homes, individuals retreat into their own spaces: women glued to TV serials, men absorbed in computers or separate TVs, children focused on studies and video games, and youths continually browsing the internet and now all with their own mobile.
For instance, I recently visited a house in Mathigiri, Hosur. The 1200 sq. ft. house had three bedrooms for the boys and one common hall for the parents, yet it had four TVs. In rural areas, despite limited space and financial constraints, people still segregate their time, with women and children watching serials or movies and men lying down after drinking. The explosion of visual media, rather than broadening people’s perspectives on public and national issues, has confined them to personal interests and entertainment. But each one having her own mobile what to say about our present condition.
Moreover, the repetitive nature of media discussions on public issues can lead to frustration, even among educated individuals, who may prefer to use their leisure time for relaxation rather than engaging with repetitive media content. For example, during the recent tension between India and Pakistan in 2013, major channels like NDTV and CNN-IBN featured the same questions and answers repeatedly, leading to viewer fatigue. Unless media outlets innovate beyond the pursuit of TRP (Television Rating Points) and offer fresh perspectives, the general public may disengage from national and international issues. Now Palki Sharma Upadyaya [Vantage in First Post] several times talks about people’s lake of interest in news. But media alone needs to be blamed, almost every channel covering the same issues simultaneously. When TRP becomes the sole focus, media will naturally prioritize content that directly affects Indians, leaving less space for broader issues. Ultimately, “people get the programs they want, and media caters to the audience it has.”
Dayanand Bharati
Revised on 5-9-2024 [January 17, 2013]
On February 4, 2011, during CNN IBN’s ‘Last Word’ at 10:00 PM, Sri Karan Thapar, one of my favorite TV anchors, expressed concern about the lack of coverage of recent developments in Egypt by Indian media, both electronic and print. The panel, which included prominent editors like Sri Ram of The Hindu, discussed this issue and shared their perspectives.
While all three panelists agreed with Karan’s observation, they provided reasons for the lack of coverage from their viewpoints as intellectuals and editors, which I respect. However, as an ordinary Indian, I began to reflect on whether this situation reflects a fundamental aspect of the Indian worldview.
Our Indian worldview, though strongly influenced by religious faiths and convictions, has been significantly shaped by Western thoughts since the early 20th century, particularly after Independence. While religious influences persist, our worldview is no longer solely based on religious faiths. Historically, the Indian worldview was never exclusively religious.
Swami Vivekananda once remarked that while people in the West focus on economic and political matters, people in India primarily engage in religious activities. Although I cannot recall his exact words, I believe if he were alive today, he might revise his view in light of the media’s rapid evolution. The printed media developed slowly, allowing people to adapt to its demands, but the sudden influx of electronic media has been overwhelming. Initially jolted by this shift, we are now in the process of adjusting our lives to cope with it.
The surge in electronic media, with numerous competing satellite TV channels, has made everyone exceptionally busy. Now Social media only added fuel to the fire. The phrase “No time” has become common; even the laziest person finds no time to enjoy their idleness. People are compartmentalizing their lives, not only from one another but also from themselves. In homes, individuals retreat into their own spaces: women glued to TV serials, men absorbed in computers or separate TVs, children focused on studies and video games, and youths continually browsing the internet and now all with their own mobile.
For instance, I recently visited a house in Mathigiri, Hosur. The 1200 sq. ft. house had three bedrooms for the boys and one common hall for the parents, yet it had four TVs. In rural areas, despite limited space and financial constraints, people still segregate their time, with women and children watching serials or movies and men lying down after drinking. The explosion of visual media, rather than broadening people’s perspectives on public and national issues, has confined them to personal interests and entertainment. But each one having her own mobile what to say about our present condition.
Moreover, the repetitive nature of media discussions on public issues can lead to frustration, even among educated individuals, who may prefer to use their leisure time for relaxation rather than engaging with repetitive media content. For example, during the recent tension between India and Pakistan in 2013, major channels like NDTV and CNN-IBN featured the same questions and answers repeatedly, leading to viewer fatigue. Unless media outlets innovate beyond the pursuit of TRP (Television Rating Points) and offer fresh perspectives, the general public may disengage from national and international issues. Now Palki Sharma Upadyaya [Vantage in First Post] several times talks about people’s lake of interest in news. But media alone needs to be blamed, almost every channel covering the same issues simultaneously. When TRP becomes the sole focus, media will naturally prioritize content that directly affects Indians, leaving less space for broader issues. Ultimately, “people get the programs they want, and media caters to the audience it has.”
Dayanand Bharati
Revised on 5-9-2024 [January 17, 2013]
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