ITV

Tag: Congress

  • NNIS goes live from metros, strengthens online presence

    NNIS goes live from metros, strengthens online presence

    MUMBAI: Network1 News and Information Syndicate (NNIS) has announced that its news and feature service subscribers will also have access to live coverage from its news bureau network from metros locations. Simultaneously, NNIS has enhanced its focus to news breaking from Congress and BJP headquarters in Delhi to capture real-time developments during the ongoing assembly elections as also the ensuing general elections.

     “While NNIS has succeeded in getting great recognition for the quality of its content plus the choice it makes in selection and production, it is now very heartening to share that we have launched a Live service which would enable all our clients to get top quality Live coverage during the elections and beyond. We stand for quality, integrity backed by an excellent team to leave its mark in India and beyond,” said NNIS CEO Arup Ghosh in a release.

    In addition to television, the firm has also built a strong presence among online portals and mobile value added service (VAS) providers with its offerings in multiple Indian languages since it was set up in April 2010.

    The Network 1 Team

    “We have been in the media all our lives and know what it takes to create premium content. In the past, our association with media houses helped them create great branding. Now, it is our turn to create our own brand in NNIS which shall make maximum impact in times to come,” added Shireen Sethi.

    “With a Network of over 200 reporters, equally deft at handling news and feature reports, NNIS will also use live hunting units equipped with high definition equipment,” said Sethi.

    “Acquiring the best that there is in technology from news capturing, processing to transmission – allowed us to leap frog a complete generation. The new generation equipment offers twin advantages to media houses as they get quality, speed and reliability,” explained NNIS CTO and co-founder Kamal Dixit.

    NNIS claims to not work on legacy systems, it is in a position to offer news and feature content at prices that can help channels to reduce their operational expenses thus becoming profitable.

  • The alarming L’affaire Tejpal

    The alarming L’affaire Tejpal

    The media industry as well as the common man was shocked yesterday when Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal reportedly admitted ‘misconduct’ against a woman journalist and offered to step aside from the post, and the office, for six months as a penance. The journo in question had alleged that Tejpal sexually assaulted her at an event organised by the magazine in Goa earlier this month.

     

    So what’s all the fuss about? We live in times when adults having consensual sex has become quite common at workplaces. From Fatal Attraction to Inkaar, the subject has been captured on celluloid and written about a zillion times. There’s a term coined for it as well, ‘office spouse.’ We hear about such relationships every other day; be it in classrooms or boardrooms.

     

    And the media, much as it may like to pretend otherwise, isn’t too far behind in these matters. Prominent journalists have had consensual relationships which are a known fact among the fraternity but no one really talks about them, openly, at least.

     

    One wouldn’t be wrong if he/she calls media as a cesspool. Just that those who are in the business of washing other people’s dirty linen in public, won’t wash theirs in full public view. That would be just so wrong!

     

    One wouldn’t be wrong if he/she calls media as a cesspool. Just that those who are in the business of washing other people’s dirty linen in public, won’t wash theirs in full public view. That would be just so wrong!
    _____****__________________________________________________________

    Like Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhary side-stepped a news reporter’s query saying, “This is an internal matter”. Wouldn’t others of her ilk have said the same thing if they were in such a mess?

     

    There are many Tejpals striding the passages in media organisations around India. And more and more women are entering the media industry – whether in television news or general entertainment channels or newspapers – especially at the junior level. It is they who become an easy target for the ones sitting in their cozy cabins. Some of the younger lot might “cooperate” to get a helping hand in their careers while others who become victims might choose to keep mum so as to not harm their progress.

     

    It takes a lot of courage for one to step-up and take on the boss. The young Tehelka journalist did so and needs to be patted on her back for not letting the possible repercussions hold her back. But how many of them will do so? That is the worrying part.

     

    But there is a saving grace. Those in senior positions or positions of power should remember: Everyone is under scrutiny and no one — no matter how powerful — can escape from one’s actions in the liberalised social media environment of today. This is borne out by l’affaire Tejpal which has once again brought the much celebrated journalist in focus. But unlike earlier times when he was in the limelight unearthing scandals, this time, he is the scandal. The once media darling is now being crucified by one and all as a beast, and rightly so. Indeed, Tejpal and Tehelka, which made headlines with umpteen sting operations, finds itself being stung by scandal and that too rather badly.

     

    For a magazine known to take a stance, no matter what the consequences, it has come under severe criticism for taking a rather serious issue lightly. “He stepped down. It was not something she’d asked for. It was over and above that”, says Chaudhary matter-of-factly.

     

    Not only is the world shocked to know that Tejpal sexually harassed a junior colleague, who happens to be his daughter’s close friend, his decision to step aside from the editorship of the magazine and from the Tehelka office for six months as ‘atonement’ for what he describes as ‘a bad lapse of judgement, an awful misreading of the situation…’ has been labelled ‘inappropriate and grossly insufficient’ by many.

     

    Those in senior positions or positions of power should remember: Everyone is under scrutiny and no one — no matter how powerful — can escape from one’s actions in the liberalised social media environment of today. This is borne out by l’affaire Tejpal which has once again brought the much celebrated journalist in focus.
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    Apparently, Tejpal, in his letter to Chaudhary, has said he repents his ‘drunken banter’ and offered to step aside from his post and the office for six months to ‘atone for his misconduct’. But does that absolve him from all responsibility? Maybe he hopes his close connections with the Congress president will help him in return of all the snooping he has done on the rival party.

     

    And what do we say to Chaudhary, otherwise known to be at the forefront of all women’s causes, who has in this instance chosen to support Tejpal, requesting Tehelka employees to ‘stand by the institution in this hard time.’

     

    Institution yes… but one whose future hangs in the balance. Will it outlast Tejpal when he is tried and thrown into jail as is being demanded by many on Twitter and on social media? This is probably what was playing in the mind of the victim, which is why she is still considering constitution of a committee by the magazine to go into the issue and take action. Remember, Tejpal allegedly forced himself on the girl in an elevator in a five star hotel more than 10 days ago. With a slew of publications downing shutters, and television channels shedding staff, another magazine folding up will not be good news for the industry, that too because of one man…

     

    While one can’t foresee the future, a niggling question remains: “What was Tejpal thinking (or smoking or guzzling) when a man of his stature did what he calls ‘a bad lapse of judgement’?”

     

    Maybe he doesn’t believe in practicing what he preaches.

     

  • ABP news Nielsen opinion poll- Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri

    ABP news Nielsen opinion poll- Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri

    AAP gains from both INC and BJP in Delhi polls, hung assembly likely; Kejriwal most preferred CM candidate : ABP News-Nielsen survey

     

    New Delhi 25th Oct 2013: Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to gain from both the Indian National Congress (INC) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in the upcoming Delhi polls. According to the opinion poll conducted by ABP News and Nielsen, AAP is likely to bag around 18 seats. BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party surpassing the incumbent Congress in the assembly polls with around 28 seats and a vote share of about 34 per cent.

     

    The poll predicts Congress is likely to get 22 seats in the 70-member assembly. AAP is seen gaining with a vote share of about 15 per cent from the Congress and the BJP. Other parties and Independents are likely to manage only two seats in the upcoming Delhi polls.

     

    According to the survey, with Kejriwal’s AAP gaining momentum it has become a three-corner contest, where BJP has a slight edge. The scenario emerging with the survey could change once the candidates are announced.

     

    Even more good news for the BJP would have emerged if they didn’t have AAP as their competitor they would have gained another 15 per cent share from the Congress displaying them as the clear winner.

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, there is a reduction in the loyalist base for both Congress and BJP in the last 2 months, resulting in a gain for Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP.

     

    Kejriwal most preferred CM candidate for Delhi

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, around 32 per cent of respondent surveyed prefer Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi, followed by equal split for Vijay Goel and Sheila Dikshit. The scores have improved for Arvind Kejriwal as a leading candidate for CM from 24 per cent in August 2013 to 32 per cent in October 2013. There is an increase for Shiela Dikshit from 22 per cent in August 2013 to 27 per cent in October 2013.Though the survey predicts mariginal increase in score of BJP’s Vijay Goel who gets 27 per cent in 2013.

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, the performance of current chief minister Sheila Dikshit has been rated by the younger voter (18-23 years) with a mean score of 2.98. The performance continues to be below average.

     

    Corruption, inflations dents Congress’ prospects

     

    The survey reveals that at an overall level, Corruption and Price rise are the main issue for change in voting intention from INC to BJP. Price rise is a major influencer for female respondent.

  • Congress TV Agenda?

    Congress TV Agenda?

    With elections looming large, the spotlight may be on political parties and their candidates however an unlikely candidate seems to have entered the fray, i.e. television.

    Very quietly, two shows have been launched on two TV channels within the span of one week, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Indias biggest ruling party – the Congress.

    One; Anil Kapoors Indian adaptation of the American espionage series 24, which aired on Colors on 4 October and the other; Desh Ki Beti – Nandini, which premiered on Sony on 7 October.

        
    The desi 24 sees the young scion of a political family, Aditya Singhania played by Neil Bhoopalam, reaching out to the countrys youth a la our very own vice president of the Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi.

    While Desh Ki Beti has a bun-sporting, saree and long sleeve blouse-clad Nandini waving out to the crowd, reminiscent of Indias only woman PM, the late Indira Gandhi.

    Leaving aside similarities; both the shows couldnt have been timed better. North India goes to elections in November while the race for Indias next PM unfolds in the first half of 2014.

    24 will end in approximately three months but the impact is sure to last. That Colors reduced the air time of one of its most popular shows, Comedy Nights with Kapil, to accommodate the series is proof of just how much is riding on the timing. Similarly, Sony prematurely pulled the plug on its earlier week day show Chhanchhan to make way for Nandini, citing low TRPs as reason.

    Social media has been quick to catch the so-called connect between these shows and the ruling party. Heres sampling the kind of comments on Twitter and Facebook: A new show called desh ki beti nandini seems to be funded by congress, daily soap Nandini will subtly glorify pre emergency Indira. Direct editorial control from Rahul Gandhi, waiting for Aditya Singhania the 24 character based on Rahul Gandhi, to take his speech and say phaad ke phenk do, 24 just predicted a Rahul Gandhi victory and so on.

    Makes one wonder whether this is part of the viewers fertile imagination or truly Congress Ka Haath behind these shows…

  • US broadcasters could go to Congress in Aereo dispute

    US broadcasters could go to Congress in Aereo dispute

    MUMBAI: The fight between the US broadcasters like Fox and Barry Diller-backed Aereo is likely to get hotter. There is possibility of the broadcasters could appeal to the US Congress.

    Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia has been quoted in reports saying that in the past broadcasters have gone to Congress. Earlier a US court of appeals had dismissed a plea by broadcasters against Aereo.

    Aereo uses tiny antennas to pick up free over-the-air broadcast television signals and then transmits the video to its customers over the Internet. News Corp COO Chase Carey has threatened to make Fox pay on cable.

    Right now Aereo is only in New York but the plan is to expand to several more cities. Aereo‘s premium subscription plan costs $12 a month.

    The broadcasters want Aereo to pay to rebroadcast their signals, just like cable and satellite providers already do. Broadcast transmission fees are now a multi-billion dollar business. If Aereo can access content for free then cable companies that also retransmit signals might ask for the fee to be removed or reduced.

    Of course Aereo is another case of the disruptive influence of the Internet and the impact it is having on business models and revenue streams.

  • Politicisation of TV news content in South India – TV9 Karnataka and NEWS9 director Mahendra Mishra

    Politicisation of TV news content in South India – TV9 Karnataka and NEWS9 director Mahendra Mishra

    Though all the channels of these netas have a designated professional ‘editor‘, it is anybody‘s guess as to who calls the shots in selecting and playing the news items. There really are too many such characters to talk about! And they are mushrooming like Congress grass everywhere.

    If the news media is the fourth pillar of democracy, then there is no doubting the fact that in the four southern states, if not nationally across most of the regional television space, this pillar has gone into the hands of politicians or their proxies.

    There are two issues here; One, how are these channels going to sustain themselves financially as they generally have very low viewership and hence command extremely low advertising rates? 
     
    Secondly, even if they manage to last long, are they not going to cause a serious dent to the credibility of all news channels? Doesn‘t this dent the sanctity of news business? Doesn‘t it lead to serious credibility crisis among common viewers? Maybe 2011 will provide some answers.

    When we look at South India‘s television news business in 2010, the most important word that creeps in our minds is ‘politicisation of content and cable‘.

    Cable and content are inseparable in the TV news business. And this is something that netas in South India understand better than the most astute of businessmen today. Politicos‘ control content and cable both. Some of them own the news channels as well as the cable networks.

    While ‘paid news‘ and ‘TRPised news content‘ on TV news channels continue to be the major areas of debate for the entire news industry in general, 2010 in South India will be remembered as a year when netas tightened their grips on news content and cable networks.

    Andhra Pradesh

    Take a look at the numbers – there are currently 14 TV news channels in Andhra Pradesh. Except for two or three channels, all the rest are directly or indirectly controlled by politicians or their proxies. It‘s an open secret that most of them have officially become the tools of political agendas. One wonders why should they be called news channels at all?

    For example, when the TDP supremo went on a ‘fast‘ (hunger strike) demanding better compensation for Andhra farmers, four news channels supported by TDP or its party cadre- ABN Andhra Jyothi, ETV2, Studio N and Maha TV beamed every bit of ‘the action‘ live till the end, while at the same time, the Jagan Mohan Reddy-supported channels like Sakshi TV, NTV and TV5 made sure there was simply no coverage of the TDP Supremo‘s fast. And when Jagan Mohan Reddy went on fast on the same issue in Vijaywada, all the TDP-backed channels conveniently ignored him while Sakshi, NTV and TV5 telecast every moment ‘live‘.

    2010 saw the launch of another news channel, Raj TV in Andhra Pradesh by TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao. The channel has a very simple agenda: propagate the cause of a separate Telangana state and criticise all those who are opposed to it. The channel makes sure there are enough OBs in Rao‘s rallies, but when someone else holds a political rally in Telanaga, Raj TV coverage of the event is conspicuous by its absence.

    These issues raise serious concerns as to how ‘objectivity and fairness,‘ which are so critical to credible news, are becoming the biggest casualties of the politician-sponsored news media.

    Karnataka

    Karnataka is all set to take the ‘Andhra‘ route this year. Welcome to the land of the Reddys, the Kumaraswamys and the Jarkiholis…!

    The year-long political tamasha now finds a 3-D reflection in the news business this year as the Reddy brothers‘ gear up to launch their news channel ‘Janasri‘. Their jaunt in news television will be followed by JD (S)‘ state president H D Kumaraswamy‘s much awaited news channel.
    The Reddys and the Kumaraswamys have another important muscle to flex; while Bellary‘s complete cable business is in the hands of the Reddys, Hassan‘s cable networks are held by the Kumaraswamys‘. This naturally gives the Reddys‘ and the Kumaraswamys‘ the advantage of influencing news content on different channels. Their message is clear: You can‘t show what we don‘t like, at least not in Bellary and Hassan!

    Karnataka already has Congress leader Sathish Jarkiholi‘s ‘Samaya‘ in the state. Looks like these netas‘ own news channels to guarantee them a better audience than the sprawling Vidhan Soudha does!

    TV9 Kannada continued to be South India‘s No1 news channel followed by TV9 Telugu in 2010 in terms of total viewership (Source: TAM). The fact that TV9 Kannada‘s viewership has grown by 15-20 per cent after channels like Samaya launched shows that politician-backed channels have contributed to our growth positively.

    Karnataka remained the highest English news consuming market in the country, ahead of Kerala this year, largely because of NEWS9.The channel extended its services to the rest of Karnataka markets where it became an instant leader. NEWS9 has remained a leader in the Bangalore market where its viewership is more than the combined viewership of NDTV, Times Now, CNN-IBN, Headlines Today and NewsX. We are planning to expand NEWS9 operations in other southern markets gradually.

    Tamil Nadu

    The Tamil Nadu market remains largely untouched by new news channels largely due to the complete control over cable networks by politicians (the Marans). Though the state‘s vibrant retail advertising offers a great opportunity for the independent media organisations, the Marans‘ cable monopoly continues to be a big deterrent. This is the state where politicisation of content and cable has already happened. One can expect no major changes in the year 2011, except for a few fireworks on Jaya and Sun News as in the state assembly!

    Kerala

    The real action in the news television space is going to take place in Kerala this year as the state gears up for the assembly elections in May 2011.

    Kerala is going to witness a flood of new news channels before these elections. While the Indian Union Muslim League plans to launch its own news channel, K. Muraleedharan, former Member of Parliament and son of senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran, also plans to come up with his own news channel.
     
    Mathrubhumi, Kerala Kaumudi, Madhyamam and Mangalam are also expected to venture into 24-hour TV news business this year. There are at least half a dozen news channels already on air in the state, mostly backed by political parties either directly or indirectly.
    The message seems to be quite clear: if you want to grow in politics, own a news channel and be the editor-in-chief!
     

  • FCC report suggests limiting of TV violence

    FCC report suggests limiting of TV violence

    MUMBAI: A new draft report from the US media watchdog the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests the US government may be able to limit violence on TV in a way that does not violate the Constitution.

    The long-overdue report suggests that Congress could craft a law that would let the agency regulate violent programming much like it regulates sexual content and profanity — by barring it from being aired during hours when children may be watching, for example.

    An FCC official was quoted in media reports saying that violence could be treated similarly to broadcast indecency, with its airing prohibited during times when children might be watching.

    However the official the FCC hasn’t officially adopted the findings of the draft report. Congress could order cable and satellite TV providers to allow viewers to buy channels individually or in family-friendly packages to limit how much violence children see.
    The report had been requested by Congress. The report also suggests that cable and satellite TV could be subjected to an “a la carte” regime that would let viewers choose their channels.

    Citing studies, the draft says that there is evidence that violent programming can lead to “short-term aggressive behavior in children”.