Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Media Wars in India, in the Making

Can you say it's a Modi effect or a mere  coincidence? The two big  rivals of Indian TV space, Arnab Goswami & Barkha Dutt seem to take their fights further by announcing their  independent ventures. How much independent they will be and who will win the war, the time will only  tell. Bits of information is in circulation in social media about financing plans of Arnab's Republic channel  while details of  Barkha's exact venture and financing plans are yet to be known.

Arnab Goswami was the widely acclaimed editor-in-chief and anchor of Newshour debate and also a host of television programme Frankly Speaking with Arnab on Timesnow TV. He is also envied but credited to be the first journalist to interview Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he took office in 2014. The Arnab's Newshour programme was way ahead with Barkha Dutt's  NDTV programmes like We the People and The Buck Stops Here in terms of TRP ratings.
Arnab has already  announced  launch of his upcoming news channel, "Republic" on 26 January 2017 while Barkha has just given an indication of her intent of a new venture. Arnab Goswami is expected to walk on his ideas of nationalism and will probably toe the line more  vigorously. He aims to put his channel at   international pedastals like BBC and CNN while Barkha Dutt is yet to announce her aims.

Barkha Dutt had emerged as a prominet journalist after her frontline war reporting on the Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999 and  has also faced controversies like her links in the Radia tapes  and her views on secularism (psedo-secular, popularly called sickular  on social media). Barkha Dutt was also  criticised for her coverage of 2008 Mumbai attacks when she reported from Taj Mahal Hotel and Trident and in the process, indirectly helping terrorists' handlers in Pakistan and putting lives of hotel guests  at risks. She is a much liked journalist by sponsors of terror across the borders due to  such obvious reasons.

Arnab had also faced criticism of a different nature for airing his loud  judgemental views.  Many called his Newshour programme a "Tu Tu Mai, Mai Programme" and charged him of playing the judge, the audience and  the jury simultaneously. However, there is no doubt, he enjoyed a greater viewership and fan followings due to his boldness of not sparing any leaders   irrespective of their party affiliations and positions held.

Let us wait & watch.!

The future holds interesting media wars on the Idiot Box in our homes.

The game has just begun!

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