NDTV

I am an admirer of Prannoy Roy since his 'News Track' days when no news channels were available except that of DD. My admiration grew with NDTV's incisive poll analysis. NDTV used to give a balanced coverage with some ethical restraint and broad base.

However, from recent trends a discerning viewer can perceive a marked decline in NDTV's standards. Probably it has to vie with some other mediocre channels for TRP ratings. Loss of brilliant personalities like Dilip Sardesai could be another reason.

The most appalling thing is the self-censorship that NDTV imposes on itself while dealing with certain personalities/political parties. During the post-poll interview with Margaret Alva after Karnataka polls, when she was telling with a straight face that the leader of the congress legislature party will be elected by the new members, she was allowed to go unchallenged knowing the congress culture of imposing leaders by the 'HIGH command'. Everyone knows what these elections are.

Same restriant was not shown to Sushma Swaraj on the question of BJP's inbability to field a single Muslim candidate. Does NDTV has any infomation that BJP has fielded Christian or Budhist or Parsee or Sikh candidates. The disease of identifying Minority solely with Muslim has afflicted NDTV also. BJP has also not show any edifying behaviour by promising the nomination of a Muslim as MLC. If in Tamil Nadu a professed atheist can be Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments and Temple Administration, if in Marxist Kerala a Communist can handle these, why not a competent Hindu Lawyer Member handle Wakf portfolio in Karnataka?

On the day 12 persons were brutally hacked to death in Rayalaseema in broad day light, the news finds no mention on NDTV whereas Arushi's murder was flogged again and again to the utter disgust of viewers. Is it because the first incident was from south and the second incident had sex angle to it till it was found that the servant was also murdered throwing egg on these telecasters' faces and to their disappointment?

NDTV should cater for the whole country and not for North India or Delhi only. Why a southern edition? Why not an Easteern/Western/Northern Edition?

NDTV should live to its own earlier standards.


...ponder