Yes Media has freedom to air their views / Organize a debate / Discussion….on any topic and bring the truth to the notice of all……yes they must bring the grievances of the people to the notice of Government for a solution…….at the same time they must be very cautious with certain events / incidents coverage which may have immediate impact on the people / viewers. They need to anticipate the reaction from the viewers and sensitivity of the topic of discussion which may disturb the peace and create commotion. The topic of discussion must be verified to find out authenticity and veracity of the information and pros and cons of the issue before being aired. A Programme on the death of Former Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy is a perfect example of the sensitivity and the developments aftermath of the discussions being carried out by TV5 television Channel.……..TV Channels now a days have in great demand for instant news coverage. People get instant information with in no time of an hour or two. Electronic media has mass media presence. Even minor fault may reflect with unheard of response from its viewers. As many as 16 Telugu TV channels are in fray in A.P. for 24X 7 news coverage. Breaking news is very important to all TV channels to increase their TRPs.
On media Perspective:
Media has freedom to discuss and debate on any issue to bring the truth to the notice of public. TV 5 Channel did the same .The news was in the interest of A.P people and the topic is about the beloved leader of A.P.The discussion was based on a news article published in an online portal called exiledonline.com which is a Russia based news portal and the news was published after the death of YSR saying a conspiracy being hatched by Reliance group to eliminate him. Because there is no headway in the investigation alleged by TV 5 News channel, They took up the news and organized a debate / discussion on it highlighting the dilution in the process. TV channel has freedom to conduct a debate on it as it is in the interest of 8crores people of A.P.The arrest of the editors of the News Channel must be condemned by all.
On Government Perspective:
Government has great responsibility to keep the law and order in control and maintain peace in the state. Sensitive issues that disturb the peace must be avoided. At the same time they need to bring the investigation reports to the notice of all to maintain transparency on its end.
On Society Perspective……..
Are the TV channels leaving their ethics / responsibilities to the wind to increasing their TRPs? Being organizations of great repute Electronic media organizations have no responsibility for the society?
Breaking news on no proper information is fair? Don’t they know the great momentum of a single line scroll even? Are they ready to own up the responsibility of each story they telecast on various issues which have no authenticity.
A news story on the death of Former Chief Minister of A.P.Late.Y.S.R is an example of their rat race for top slot than the responsibility towards the society. TV 5 Channel has aired a news story basing on the information published 4months back in a Russian website on the death of former Chief Minister YSR.It was almost 2 hour long discussion on the TV channel where in they have portrayed the big wigs of Reliance Group are responsible for the death of YSR.They have cited one Russian website news story as the proof of conspiracy being hatched by Corporate Company.
What is the authenticity of the website? How renowned Channels simply rely on some news story published somewhere in the world as the source for their hours long news story.Is it a news portal of great repute in world Countries? NO
The Impact of Story:
The corporate Company shops / Offices across A.P have been vandalized and its year’s long image has been damaged overnight with the news stories that have no authenticity. Do the TV channels fetch the image back to the corporate? If CBI submits the details on it, will the channel gets the diluted image back to the corporate? No.
A.P is in volatile situation a lot with TELANGANA issue. It’s been two months ever since movement for separate state kick started and state has been thrown into fickle.News stories like this will definitely aggravates the situation. TV Channels must exercise their discretion and stay away from airing such stories.