The blockbuster serial 'Buniyaad' is making it's way back into our bedrooms. To start telecast from January 26 on Sahara One, the 'baaps' of all serials would again entertain the whole new generation of Indians. I don't remember any of the episodes I might have watched when it was aired for the first time but I remember Alok Nath being called Haveli Ram since then. And then came an opportunity to see the magnum opus again on Siti Channel as the cable operator decided to rerun it. A few episodes I could catch seemed interesting and fast paced. I hope this time I won't miss the charm of a serial free from glycerine and special sound effects. And definitely a straight and simple script.
Another good news is that cartoon channels have again started going in for Indian folk tales with the likes of Akbar-Birbal (on Cartoon network at 10.00 am, Sunday) and Alaadin making rounds. Thank God, atleast kids are getting some good stuff to watch.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Crap on the roll
Hi guys,
U might have got the idea of what this post is all about from the heading. That's right I am talking about the personal lives getting sensationalised by the media crews. Every other day news channels intrude the privacy of unaware citizens. Merrut episode where the couples were beaten up by the cops did a good thing by putting police personnnel to scrutiny but the couples were also made an easy target of negative publicity.
Recently, I read in Indian Express about two adult women staying together in a particular town and a news channel giving them the publicity they thought would do some good. But fearing societal backlash, one of the women commited sucide and another had to escape from public eye. Another one on Star News was a footage of a husband getting a severe beating from his wife. Nobody heeded to his complaints so he installed a camera and recorded the whole scene. It's ok to record is as part of an evidence but showing it on a news channel doesn't make sense. And what was that obscure old man envisaging his death on a particular day and time? Instead of rubbishing his claims, the whole battery of mediapersons stood witness to his tale of life or death (whatever that was).
So, what kind of empowerment are we generating if at all we claim to?
People are calling for media attention and we are happy to give them that. No filters, no gatekeeping, nothing. We are diving head on into an open society where anybody can peep into anybody else's bedroom and another person does not feel bad until he faces the consequences.
I hope we are living in the darkest of times. So, twilight is not far now. There is no more limit of immorality we can stoop to. So, let's celebrate the death of news media and wait for its reincarnation.
U might have got the idea of what this post is all about from the heading. That's right I am talking about the personal lives getting sensationalised by the media crews. Every other day news channels intrude the privacy of unaware citizens. Merrut episode where the couples were beaten up by the cops did a good thing by putting police personnnel to scrutiny but the couples were also made an easy target of negative publicity.
Recently, I read in Indian Express about two adult women staying together in a particular town and a news channel giving them the publicity they thought would do some good. But fearing societal backlash, one of the women commited sucide and another had to escape from public eye. Another one on Star News was a footage of a husband getting a severe beating from his wife. Nobody heeded to his complaints so he installed a camera and recorded the whole scene. It's ok to record is as part of an evidence but showing it on a news channel doesn't make sense. And what was that obscure old man envisaging his death on a particular day and time? Instead of rubbishing his claims, the whole battery of mediapersons stood witness to his tale of life or death (whatever that was).
So, what kind of empowerment are we generating if at all we claim to?
People are calling for media attention and we are happy to give them that. No filters, no gatekeeping, nothing. We are diving head on into an open society where anybody can peep into anybody else's bedroom and another person does not feel bad until he faces the consequences.
I hope we are living in the darkest of times. So, twilight is not far now. There is no more limit of immorality we can stoop to. So, let's celebrate the death of news media and wait for its reincarnation.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
CNN-IBN news
Hi guys,
I hope till now everybody must have seen the new channel. It's good and we have got a choice other than NDTV 24x7. But it still looks like a clone of NDTV. I don't have any problem with the same faces but the presentation and design also resembles NDTV. Anyways the programmes, like 'Good Evening India' are nice but the website is too cluttered with so many hyperlinks. Still let's celebrate the entry of new baby on the TV scene. We have got some choice.
I hope till now everybody must have seen the new channel. It's good and we have got a choice other than NDTV 24x7. But it still looks like a clone of NDTV. I don't have any problem with the same faces but the presentation and design also resembles NDTV. Anyways the programmes, like 'Good Evening India' are nice but the website is too cluttered with so many hyperlinks. Still let's celebrate the entry of new baby on the TV scene. We have got some choice.