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.

How can a Television Channel increase its viewership?

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--> Sometimes we are discussing that, certain Television Programme is popular, means- it’s no. of viewership is higher than others. Today, so many Television channels are there, all the channels are always trying to be stand first among others.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Television Rating Point

Ratings are the most visible form of research used in broadcasting as well as the most influential in the decision making process. Now Television Rating Point(TRP) is a regular phenomenon. Every week, in Newspaper, in Television ,we are experiencing about which channel and which particular programme has highest rating point.

Then what is TRP ?
According to Times of India, June 8, 2003, Television Rating Point (TRP) is a tool provided to judge which progrmmes are viewed the most. This gives us an Index of the choice of people and also the popularity of a particular channel.

At the time of Bigboss, Indian Idol, Kaun Banega Crorepati(KBC), Naach Baliye, Saregama singing superstar and so on, the TRP goes up, because of large viewership for this programmes. TRP competition comes with this channels.


Then obviously a question will come up in our mind that why this TRP competition, why do we need these ratings we know that- with the hundreds of crores of rupees spent annually on TV Programmes and commercials, reliable TV audience information is required to evaluate and maximize the effectiveness of this investment. This has led to the ever increasing desire by broadcasters, advertisers and advertising agencies to have accurate, consistent and detailed information about TV audiences. Media Planners and buyers evaluate the alternative programmes offered to best achieve their advertising goals, broadcasters evaluate programmes or a station's popularity and how much to change advertisers for commercials during a programme or on a given channel. In those capes where the channels are funded wholly or partly by public licence, they provide accontability.
Measurement of viewership is not a simple process. It's also a research and there are many ways to measure the audiences. One is through random telephone calls (if teledensity is satisfactory. Another is by using TV diaries, booklets in which samples of viewers record their Television viewing during a measurement week. However, with the increasing numbers of channels, multiple broadcasting platfroms and increased numbers of TV sets and remote controls per family, electronic gadgets called 'people meters'are used to measure audiences. The people meter reads the frequencies of channels, which are later, decoded into the name of the channels and the agency prepares a national data on the basis of its sample homes readings.The world's first people meter was installed in 1976 in 500 homes in Italy by LCM Graman, an Italian market research company. Today, AC Nielsen, AGB Group and Gallup are the three leading TAM agencies.


Presently, INTAM (Indian Television Audience Measurement) is the only electronic rating agency functioning in India. INTAM uses two methodologies for calculating TRP. First is frequency monitoring, in which 'people meters' are installed.It is about the size of a paperback book, is placed on each TV set in the sample home. The box has buttons, and lights are assigned to each person who lives in the household . Each meter is capable of accurately monitoring every second, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, what is being viewed on each TV set and by whom. The meter stores this data. The data is then periodically transmitted by means of the family's telephone line, or a dedicated cellular telephone line to a central computer for analysis. In actual practice, all the three methods are used in combination, for increasing the accuracy and for crosschecking.

Second technique is more reliable and relatively new to India. In picture matching technique people meter continuously records a small portion of the picture that is being watched on that particular television set. Along with this agency also records all the channels' data in the form of small picture portion. Data collected from the sample homes is later on matched with the main data bank to interpret the channel name. And this way national rating is produced.

Sometimes TRP methods create embarrassing situation, as it gives gives inadequate final datas, ratings due to some draw backs in the technique. Then certainly a question raises that how reliable are TRO ratings?

As with any sampling of rating research, TRP ratings could be inaccurate due to sampling errors like inadequate coverage of the TV owning population. In India, for example, TAM ratings are based on people meters installed in only 16 top cities in nine states. And it has drawback, as cable operators frequently change their frequencies of the different channels before sending signals to the homes. It may be very misleading to read a channel according to a particular frequency even if the down linking frequency is small all over India.

But now days, different modern technologies are being used for research, still it approaches a sharp technique and an adequate procedure for the rating research, which will reliable for the audience and commercial sectors.