Society

Just Bite, Don’t Chew

Reasoned, informed talk is out of place on the idiot box. TRPs set the agenda.

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Just Bite, Don’t Chew
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Long-distance travellers are more likely to turn on their internet today rather than open their newspapers. Such is the power of the electronic media that print is facing near-extinction in the developed world. It, however, survives in our country simply because our internet penetration is low—barely 6 per cent. Even so, TV scores over print. Let’s face it, left to themselves, humans choose instant gratification instantly. Tastes that require cultivation can always be put off till Monday next.

Ordinarily, this would not bother us much. Who cares for cultural snobs when there is so much fun and laughter in the low-brow stuff! Yet, when it comes to TV broadcasts, our critical faculties have to be standing sentinels. So much of our collective life depends on it.

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The views of TV hosts occupies thoughtspace in our everyday life. Those aired on talk shows leave a lasting impression because they smack of intellectual activism. This makes it easy for intellectuals on idiot-box support. Given these truths, TV anchors have to show a degree of responsibility that other, lesser people need not. Magazines and newspapers can eyeball their way with glossy, girly photos, yet no serious print journalist would like to be known as the purveyor of soft porn. Similarly, TV anchors too should aspire for professional standards and not be TRP-driven.

This is why nearly always the shortcut is preferred. The best bet is to get politicians to throw vulgar abuses at each other. If the fur flies in a talk show, it is judged successful by its host. But they lose interest if it is reasoned, informed and polite. It is almost as if they were sitting with granny!

Really, do politicians know more than experts on almost everything? On a few things, yes; but everything? Yet, judging from the proliferation of political hitmen on TV, it would appear that knowledge resides primarily in them. This not only politicises matters unnecessarily, but, what is worse, viewers get a plethora of half-baked, calculated political opinions which are packaged as debate.

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For example, even on the question of corruption, there are experts who have much to say on the subject, but it will always be the politicians getting the biggest soundbites. Or take caste in politics; and once again we see the familiar preference for political opinion over an expert one. Several discussions on ‘honour killings’ lost the plot because the importance of the law, and its precedence over certain customs, were never adequately highlighted. Likewise, with discussion on the Uniform Civil Code, communalism, and even terror, politicians always come first.

After the recent Ayodhya judgement, the same strain, sadly, was at work again. Even when activists of a certain religious and political persuasion were reluctant to voice an opinion, it was practically thrust on them by the anchor. Restraint was given up for the usual drive for the jugular. That it could be pierced easily, given Ayodhya’s prickly nature, was calmly ignored.

To a large extent, the poor quality of TV debates is largely because our broadcasters have little faith in their viewers. They believe the ordinary person wants to see only blood, gore and spittle. They’re probably right. The masses are like potatoes, true, but in different sacks of potatoes. They are switched on to their favourite channels, but with their minds switched off.

Where TV anchors go wrong, very wrong, is when they disrespect their own, quite awesome, talents. Given their backgrounds and training, they should want to be tested by the best worldwide. TRPs are mere fig leaves. Why not go for the whole tree, figs and all? There was a time when Hindi films were formulaic. Yet, against all tested prescriptions of Bombay’s dream makers, Peepli [Live] is a box-office grosser today, proving how audience perceptions can be moulded if the productions are really good.

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Just think 3 Idiots and not the idiot-box, and the point will be clear. So if Bollywood can do it, why can’t TV?

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