Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Paid news syndrome
I have presented this article in the National Seminar on “Media Audit: Need for Greater Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency” organized by Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Berhampur University.
Paid news syndrome: An unethical and undesirable trend in media
Hemanta Kumar Pradhan
4th semester, M.A. Mass Communication
PG Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Berhampur University-760007
Abstract
Paid news is a much hyped phenomenon now days. In the 15th general election to the Loksabha in 2009, this disturbing trend was highlighted by the media that is payment of money by the politicians to the media organization for their favorable coverage which is popularly known as ‘paid news’.
The Press Council of India defines paid news as, “Any news or analysis appearing in any media (Print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration.” For democratic India, the media continuous to be acclaimed as the forth important pillars after judiciary, parliament and bureaucratic set-up, but unfortunately a cancer in the form of paid news has been diagnosed with the Indian media in the recent past. Millions of rupees have been reportedly paid to media houses for paid news.
What we are talking about paid news, it is not new at all and it was there in 19th century as the form of Cheque Book Journalism. Now the Australian Press Council is currently looking at the ethical question arising from Cheque Book Journalism.
During the General Election in Bihar and Maharashtra, Paid news was used by the candidates to publish or broadcast in favor of them. The money involved was also petty in comparison to what it is now going up to Rupees 1Crore per candidate, per constituency, according to Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition.
On April 01, 2010, Press Council of India prepared a draft report on ‘Paid News’: how corruption in the India media undermines democracy. The report speaks of the deception or fraud that paid news entails as having three levels. First: “The reader of publication or the viewer of the television Program is deceived into believing that what is essentially an advertisement is in fact, independently produced news content.” Second: “By not officially declaring the expenditure incurred on planting paid news items, the candidate standing for election violates the conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which are meant to be enforced by the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.” And third: “ by not accounting for the money received from the candidates, the concern media company or it representatives are violating the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961, among other laws.”
Not only paid news undermines democracy, it creates integrity risk for the nation. Paid news is deceit. The politicians and the people, who give paid news, are playing with the faithfulness of the people on media. The age old believe as media is faithful friend and guide of the society may diminish by this unethical act. It moulds the opinion, changes by taking bribe from the candidates. It is unfair practice in a democratic country like India.
In India every person has the freedom of speech and expression, but according to Chief Election Commissioner –Paid News is not a free speech. The Commission is concerned about the undue influence that paid news can create in the mind of the voters. It is against free and fair polls. Paid News is downright unethical and sinister. And he again says-“we realized with all seriousness the impact of this malpractice. It could derail democracy.”
Government of India is preparing to setup rules and regulations to control Paid News. In the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puduchery, Election Commission has asked the Chief Electoral Officers of the above states to direct the district levels committee to monitor and investigate the Paid News.
In a special meeting arranged by my Professor, Dr. Sunil Kant, I asked the Minister of the state information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Mr. Choudhury Mohan Jathwa on Paid News. He gave emphasis on preparing a self-regulatory system for electronic media, which can control the paid news with other unethical phenomenon.
Recently, I&B minister, Ms. Ambika Soni announced to setup a self-regulatory mechanism to keep eye on the electronic media which will consisting of a retired judge and members of civil society. It is a welcomed step.
At the end, I want to say that; media is the eye opener and mirror of a society. It should be people friendly as it is the voice and a faithful friend of common man. So it should be clean from all these black spots and evil things.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
ELECTRONIC MEDIA NEEDS SELF-REGULATORY SYSTEM: I & B MINISTER
Hemanta Kumar Pradhan
We have a press council of India to keep eye on the press, similarly we need a self regulatory system for electronic media to evaluate and regulate as the number of satellite channel is rising day by day, said minister of the state for information and broad casting, government of India Mr. Chaudhary Mohan Jatwa while interacting with the student of the Post Graduate Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Berhampur University.
On 24th February 2011, 4th semester students of the respective department met the Minister in his Kolkata office while they were in study tour. The Minister discussed with the student about the challenges and opportunities in media and different ethical issues regarding television channels.
On the rise of satellite channels he said, “Now we have 635 television channels along with 35 government channels. Around 250 are waiting for the recommendation. Obviously they need trained men power in news, advertising and entertainment which will create more job opportunities for the student of mass communication.” Minister supplemented the answers with Professor Sunilkant Behera, Head, Department Journalism and Mass Communication, Berhampur University.
Advertising sector is growing now. It has good prospect. The web journalism and online advertising has given a new dimension of job opportunity, minister answered a question asked by 4th semester student Priya Priyadarshini. Answering a question asked by Hemanta Kumar (4th sem) on paid news syndrome, minister said, it is a headache for all of us. Our hand is tied because of constitutional guarantee of article 19. But our ministry is not sitting idle; we are looking into the matter.
According to the article 19(1A) of the Indian constitution, every person has freedom of speech and expression as it is the fundamental right of a citizen, Government can’t impose restriction on electronic media, but we can evaluate and regulate the sensational, unethical as well as lower grade programmes which is used to attract the audience now days, he said. At the fag end of the meeting, Prof. Pradeep Chandra Mahapatra, PG Department of Journalism and Mass Communication expressed vote of thanks to the minister.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
How can a Television Channel increase its viewership?
There are basically two types of channels mostly available i.e. I) News Channels and II) Entertainment Channels.
My areas of study are News Channels. To become a good channel and to raise its viewership we have to follow some steps to make it popular.
That steps are-
i) To make it attractive in presentation styles, and content. Language jargon should not be there, the pronunciation style should be in pious style, otherwise viewers may tune up to other channel.
ii) Some new plans new plans should introduce as-
1) Mobile Subscription (news and programme information)
2) IPod – news service
3) Mobile news service
Nowadays, most of the people having mobile phones, so we have to introduce a service by which a mobile owner/user can access the news (brief/headlines) by a fare charge of monthly access.
The Television channels can give information by this service as their programme information, which will promote the interest of the audience to see the contents of his choice in his free time.
Sometimes good programmes, interviews are missed out by the audience due to unaware about the content, so the mobile subscription can remind them well.
Another way of mobilization of news or programme content is mobile/IPod news service, which is a very handy to a user in any part of the world. He can know the news or see the programme.
These two formats may help to increase Television viewership.
iii) In programme format we can add some innovative programmes- these are –
1) Janata Durbar / Public Court
2) Docu-features on Social issue, human interest topics
3) Question and Answer programmes of current affairs having cash prize for the participants.
Janata Durbar nowadays some channels are introducing but not properly, they only use phone calls and discussing on the studio with experts, but in our new format, we will send our Reporters to the field to the common people and ask about their opinion about a current issue, which is the voice of people format i.e. Vox Populi.
Docu-feature is a interesting programme. It gives a space to think a while about the society, it also create a enthusiastic nature for the audience to see it regularly.
Basically want best stories based on them, so it’s a good idea to use this format.
Finally, we can use an innovative programme, which will attract to young mass and intellectual also i.e. Q&A Programme.
Some participants out of all the audience can be called for the Television panel, which will add glamour to the participants as well as the channel. The cash prize will also motivate the public to see and participate in the programme of a news channel.
The Q&A programme should be one hour in a interactive format.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Unrest in Arab World:Common People's Fight for Human Rights
On 10th December 1948, The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 3 of UDHR says, "everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person" and Article 5 says,-"no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
These two article clearly says about the right of a human being, which is regularly everyday diminishing in West Asia and North Africa countries like Libya,Syria,Egypt,Yemen,Oman,Baharain,Algeria and Tunisia.
The violation of Human Rights in Arab World is a headache for the whole world. From one end of the Arab World to the other, most of the Arab countries are ruled by strongmen and despots. The Authoritarian rulers and the dictatorship of the government leaves the common people in a danger zone of human rights violation.
The Arab World was teeming with Mohamed Bouazizis. Little less than a month later, the order of the despot was twisting in the wind. Bouazizis, a young Tunisian vegetable seller in the hardscrabble provincial town of Sidi Bouzid, set himself on fire after his cart was confiscated and a headstrong Policewoman slapped him across the face in broad day light. This University Graduate could not bear it and self-ablazed his life. It was the beginning of revolution against the tyranny ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and against unemployment, political pluralism censorship on media. Arab World Revolution started from here only.
Egypt was the second to adopt the Tunisian way of protesting, more than fifteen days of agitation against the Hosni Mubarak Govt., it moved away from the Portfolio no doubt, but still they are in searching for a appropriate Govt. At the time of agitation, the supporters of Mubarak had started hitting the people mercilessly; the common peoples were died like insects, mosquitoes. Human Rights violation increased day by day.
Like that, Libyan President Muammar Quadhafi extremely violating the Human Rights. He and his sons were once declared against Libyans that,"either I rule you or I kill you". In a twenty first century, civilized world,it is the worst word ever spoken by a president.
The revolutionists are not thinking about their pain, they are marching towards Tripoli to capture the nation's capital and to dethrone the president.
Libyan Ambassador to the UN Mohamed Shalgam broke down into tears and called for a "courageous resolution" from the Security council to save Libya.
Eight Arab states practiced torture and extrajudicial detention. And still,the silence held. Bouazizi and his deed of despair brought a people to a reckoning with its maladies.
In Baharain, protesters started agitation at Pearl Square in the capital city Manama. The crown prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa ordered to the Military force to tame the demonstrators in strong hand. The common peoples were beaten mercilessly.
According to Article 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and".But this laws are openly violated by the rulers of Arab World. The military persons are not giving chance for an association or any other assembly.
Now Oman and Yemen, Syria are in red corridor. These countries are raged against their Govt. The protesters are accepting one day's pain or few days pain of getting Lathi charge, bullet firing and death than 60 years of tyranny and inter-burning with the violation of Human rights in their own land.
The world is looking towards Arab World. United Nations Council keenly observing the situation, if the tyrants continue this practice, the world will take the action against them.Because Humanity is the best policy in the world.We need peace, nor bloodshed.
These two article clearly says about the right of a human being, which is regularly everyday diminishing in West Asia and North Africa countries like Libya,Syria,Egypt,Yemen,Oman,Baharain,Algeria and Tunisia.
The violation of Human Rights in Arab World is a headache for the whole world. From one end of the Arab World to the other, most of the Arab countries are ruled by strongmen and despots. The Authoritarian rulers and the dictatorship of the government leaves the common people in a danger zone of human rights violation.
The Arab World was teeming with Mohamed Bouazizis. Little less than a month later, the order of the despot was twisting in the wind. Bouazizis, a young Tunisian vegetable seller in the hardscrabble provincial town of Sidi Bouzid, set himself on fire after his cart was confiscated and a headstrong Policewoman slapped him across the face in broad day light. This University Graduate could not bear it and self-ablazed his life. It was the beginning of revolution against the tyranny ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and against unemployment, political pluralism censorship on media. Arab World Revolution started from here only.
Egypt was the second to adopt the Tunisian way of protesting, more than fifteen days of agitation against the Hosni Mubarak Govt., it moved away from the Portfolio no doubt, but still they are in searching for a appropriate Govt. At the time of agitation, the supporters of Mubarak had started hitting the people mercilessly; the common peoples were died like insects, mosquitoes. Human Rights violation increased day by day.
Like that, Libyan President Muammar Quadhafi extremely violating the Human Rights. He and his sons were once declared against Libyans that,"either I rule you or I kill you". In a twenty first century, civilized world,it is the worst word ever spoken by a president.
The revolutionists are not thinking about their pain, they are marching towards Tripoli to capture the nation's capital and to dethrone the president.
Libyan Ambassador to the UN Mohamed Shalgam broke down into tears and called for a "courageous resolution" from the Security council to save Libya.
Eight Arab states practiced torture and extrajudicial detention. And still,the silence held. Bouazizi and his deed of despair brought a people to a reckoning with its maladies.
In Baharain, protesters started agitation at Pearl Square in the capital city Manama. The crown prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa ordered to the Military force to tame the demonstrators in strong hand. The common peoples were beaten mercilessly.
According to Article 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and".But this laws are openly violated by the rulers of Arab World. The military persons are not giving chance for an association or any other assembly.
Now Oman and Yemen, Syria are in red corridor. These countries are raged against their Govt. The protesters are accepting one day's pain or few days pain of getting Lathi charge, bullet firing and death than 60 years of tyranny and inter-burning with the violation of Human rights in their own land.
The world is looking towards Arab World. United Nations Council keenly observing the situation, if the tyrants continue this practice, the world will take the action against them.Because Humanity is the best policy in the world.We need peace, nor bloodshed.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Visit to Doordarshan Kendra,Kolkata
In a lazy afternoon of busy streets, we reached at Doordarshan Kendra(DDK), Kolkata with our beloved Professor. It was a huge building consisting with the set up of pre-production, post-production, control and transmission facilities.
We 17 students were very interested to see the DDK(Kolkata), the largest Television setup of Eastern India. We took appointment and then a programme officer of DDK came with us to make us understand, what is all about DDK.
At first he took us to different studios where programme is made. among that one big studio consisting of four studio cameras connected with cables to programme control room. Three to four shooting sets and a huge arrangement of light and reflectors were arranged above to give some effects in light and sheding on the studio floor DDK, Kolkata is making programmes in Bengali, HIndi and English.
Then we got a chance to see the live studio, from where they direct transmit the programme to air. They most of the time use Chroma keying and virtual studio to give a special effect to the audience in live. We saw the Teleprompter fpr news reading live camera and Hello Doctor programme, news and it's set.
We moved to control room. There Were two types of control room, one is Programme Control Room (PCR), which controls the programme, while shooting on the studio floor. PCR was consisting of a video monitor wall with monitors for program, preview, VTRS, cameras cues, graphics and other video sources.
Apart from these, the PCR had 'Vision Mixer' or 'Switcher', Audio Mixing console, Character generator, Digital Video effects or DVE, for manipulation of video sources, For Communication with talent and crew the PCR people were using Intercom.
The second one is Master Control Room(MCR) the nerve centre of broadcasting. It is the place where the on air signal is controlled. it may include controls to play back programs and commercials, switch local or network feeds, record satellite feeds and monitor the transmitters.
Usually the programme comes from the studio to PCR for recording. If it is live then the programmes come to MCR through PCR from the Studio floor for transmission.
Then we visited the make-up and changing rooms a reception area for crew, talent, and visitors of differentproperites, materials which are used in shooting set.
it was an enjoying adn learning moment. When we entered to the post production panel of DDK. They had two types of editing suits for their post production: one is linear editing, which is an old editing system and second one is very interesting the Non-linear editing, which was a digital one. The editor (Video) made us understand about the video editing software "Final Cut pro'. At first , he put the cassette in VCR, Captures the raw video or programmes from the studio , edit in his computer by using 'final cut pro' software than he gives the final product. He told us about pal system, colour information, effects, transition, visual grammar at the time of his demonstration.
We also saw the tape library, where they keep the tapes for future use and then where the news, programme professionals refers for news stories.
After visiting two floors we moved to the server room, from where programmes, news go on air. It is the exit gate of programmes and news.
twilight was approaching, the mercury and sodium vapur light were preparing to invade the darkness of the city, when we came out of the DDK, we bid adiue to the 36 year old vibrant and the tireless story teller of life style culture, tradition, heritage of eastern India.
We 17 students were very interested to see the DDK(Kolkata), the largest Television setup of Eastern India. We took appointment and then a programme officer of DDK came with us to make us understand, what is all about DDK.
At first he took us to different studios where programme is made. among that one big studio consisting of four studio cameras connected with cables to programme control room. Three to four shooting sets and a huge arrangement of light and reflectors were arranged above to give some effects in light and sheding on the studio floor DDK, Kolkata is making programmes in Bengali, HIndi and English.
Then we got a chance to see the live studio, from where they direct transmit the programme to air. They most of the time use Chroma keying and virtual studio to give a special effect to the audience in live. We saw the Teleprompter fpr news reading live camera and Hello Doctor programme, news and it's set.
We moved to control room. There Were two types of control room, one is Programme Control Room (PCR), which controls the programme, while shooting on the studio floor. PCR was consisting of a video monitor wall with monitors for program, preview, VTRS, cameras cues, graphics and other video sources.
Apart from these, the PCR had 'Vision Mixer' or 'Switcher', Audio Mixing console, Character generator, Digital Video effects or DVE, for manipulation of video sources, For Communication with talent and crew the PCR people were using Intercom.
The second one is Master Control Room(MCR) the nerve centre of broadcasting. It is the place where the on air signal is controlled. it may include controls to play back programs and commercials, switch local or network feeds, record satellite feeds and monitor the transmitters.
Usually the programme comes from the studio to PCR for recording. If it is live then the programmes come to MCR through PCR from the Studio floor for transmission.
Then we visited the make-up and changing rooms a reception area for crew, talent, and visitors of differentproperites, materials which are used in shooting set.
it was an enjoying adn learning moment. When we entered to the post production panel of DDK. They had two types of editing suits for their post production: one is linear editing, which is an old editing system and second one is very interesting the Non-linear editing, which was a digital one. The editor (Video) made us understand about the video editing software "Final Cut pro'. At first , he put the cassette in VCR, Captures the raw video or programmes from the studio , edit in his computer by using 'final cut pro' software than he gives the final product. He told us about pal system, colour information, effects, transition, visual grammar at the time of his demonstration.
We also saw the tape library, where they keep the tapes for future use and then where the news, programme professionals refers for news stories.
After visiting two floors we moved to the server room, from where programmes, news go on air. It is the exit gate of programmes and news.
twilight was approaching, the mercury and sodium vapur light were preparing to invade the darkness of the city, when we came out of the DDK, we bid adiue to the 36 year old vibrant and the tireless story teller of life style culture, tradition, heritage of eastern India.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Humanity is the best policy
God is one and unique, he is omnipresent; resides in every heart of living and non-living being of the Universe.
Religion is above all the argument and disbelief, we have only one religion that is Human Religion. This is the religion of all the human being, which carries certain human values to bring perfection in the life.
Rama,Jesus Christ, Mohammad(Allah), Buddha, Mahavir Jin,Nanak, Jews, Confucius, Sacreed Dumas of Tribals are the holy sons God. These sacreed souls has shown us the ways to God.
Hinduism, Christianity, Islam-ism, Buddhism,Jainism,Sikhism, Confucians, Yehudi, Zoroastrians, and Tribalism etc. are the ways to salvation. Tactically, these are not religions, but set of beliefs. These are the certain -isms provides set of rules, guidelines to laid the life in a discipline way.
Then what is religion?
Religion is above all the argument and disbelief, we have only one religion that is Human Religion. This is the religion of all the human being, which carries certain human values to bring perfection in the life.
Water flows from upper to lower, it is tasteless and it tries to keep balance everywhere. This is the religion or the characteristics feature of water. Like that, our religion is human religion- which says to create or maintain equality, fraternity, and liberty.
which shows us a better way to live like a human being. Apart from that, love and affection, kindness, forgiveness, justice, empathy are the characteristics of the religion of the human being.
If you will practice it, you can be a good human being.
So many holy scriptures and epics has been told as we are the children of the Almighty. God is one, and we are belonging to him; means we all are in a same category from a same religion.
Then how can you say that, there are different religions in the world!
How can you say that you belong to a certain race, caste, creed?
Today we are belonging to one village, that is global village. We are using our intellect and brain power for the betterment of the world. So it's the right time to rethink above this matter, we hope for a better result.
If Gandhi, Mother Teresa like single people did it successfully, why not we?
Again I'm telling, Humanity is the best policy and human religion is the only religion in the world.
which shows us a better way to live like a human being. Apart from that, love and affection, kindness, forgiveness, justice, empathy are the characteristics of the religion of the human being.
If you will practice it, you can be a good human being.
So many holy scriptures and epics has been told as we are the children of the Almighty. God is one, and we are belonging to him; means we all are in a same category from a same religion.
Then how can you say that, there are different religions in the world!
How can you say that you belong to a certain race, caste, creed?
Today we are belonging to one village, that is global village. We are using our intellect and brain power for the betterment of the world. So it's the right time to rethink above this matter, we hope for a better result.
If Gandhi, Mother Teresa like single people did it successfully, why not we?
Again I'm telling, Humanity is the best policy and human religion is the only religion in the world.
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