Prem Prakash, Chairman, Asian News International
But, the news editor must be able to decide as the copy taster in print news room, whether a particular event is really a breaking news or he is just creating a breaking news.
But, the news editor must be able to decide as the copy taster in print news room, whether a particular event is really a breaking news or he is just creating a breaking news.
He was honoured by Queen Elizabeth with an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his "contribution to the growth of TV News industry in the UK and in India". He was among the founding members of Visnews, which is today's Reuters Television.
Prem Prakash who is regarded as the father of Indian TV news, talks about various facets of TV news that has emerged as a popular genre on the Indian television.
Q. On news channels boom For viewers, it's more the merrier kind of situation. But then I forsee a scenario where there will be survival of the fittest. And everything will depend on the economic growth of the country and on how much more revenue can be pumped into the TV news business. But many channels will find their own niche viewing. For example Aaj Tak has large niche viewers just as Zee News. So, there will be different sections of viewers who would watch only a particular news channel. Also to be successful, the channels will have to devise their own distinct formats.
I forsee explosion in the number of local channels on the lines of Public Broadcasting Network in the US that caters to local news linked to national and international news.
Q. On the increasing trend of breaking news The concept of 24-hour news channels is such that it has to give breaking news. But, the news editor must be able to decide as the copy taster in print news room, whether a particular event is really a breaking news or he is just creating a breaking news. In the pressure to compete, there is often temptation of breaking news where none is existing. It definitely impacts on the credibility of the channel.
Q. On mixing content with message It is a dangerous but short term trend to try and recover revenues. But in the process you get compromised. The answer to print media successfully fighting visual media lies in enhancing the readability of newspapers by improving the content. Because, it remains a fact that newspapers offer more content in the m orning than what TV can offer in 24 hours of the day.
Q. On the importance of Content Content will always be the king. The reason why newspapers are lagging amidst the onslaught of TV news is because they are not improving quality. They have to spend money to attract best professionals. Similarly on TV, Content is the key to success. You can use any kind of gimmicks like attractive packaging, animation and graphics. But ultimately what the viewers want is substance is in the content.
Q. On the content regulation I am in favour of content regulation. We need to have a watchdog body like Broadcast Standards Authority in Britain. In India there is urgent need to monitor content of the channels from the point of view of decency and to ensure that it does not impinge on the privacy and is not against the national interests.
Q. On trivializing news I believe that news has to be in traditional style - factual and informative. That is the basic purpose of news. Added to that, news analysis falls in the area of opinion like editorial and columns in the newspaper. It is however sad that often there is an attempt to trivialize news by including fashion and lifestyle in the news bulletins. This is certainly not a professional approach and does not make news bulletins popular among the viewers. Today TV viewers are very intelligent and they can weed out chaff from the grain.
Q. On war coverage on Indian channels It is sad that in the current situation even though we have so many news channels, covering Iraq War, they are not present either in Baghdad or elsewhere to give a clear cut, honest to God report on the war scenario from Indian journalist's eyes and ears. I fully appreciate that the coverage of war is a dangerous and expensive affair. But the channels should have come together along with a premier TV news agency like ANI to bring about pool coverage from totally Indian view point.
Q. On Impact of TV news boom on print news It will definitely hurt print news. In fact, it is already having some impact as large number of print journalists are looking for exposure on TV. Yet another major aspect is that TV is poaching for talent from the print. Because both print and TV need professionals who can effectively write and articulate their thoughts. The third significant aspect is that viewer, whether he likes or not, is flustered with message by the advertisers. But the news paper reader need not bother to look at or seek out the advertisement. So, this is hurting the revenue capability of print media.
Q. On news channels boom offering opportunities to content providers There is opportunity for everyone. Look at the number of print editors providing contents by way of news shows on Indian news channels. Similarly, content providers or software production companies like ANI are also getting more opportunities to provide news inputs.
Q. On FDI in print and TV news I fully subscribe to the government view point that only minority foreign equity should be allowed so that the editorial control and management remains with the Indians. After all, most nations protect their interests. Even Rupert Murdoch had to change his nationality to be able to own media interests in USA. I also support the idea of level playing field for print and TV news as far as FDI is concerned. But I just cannot understand the idea of allowing only 26 percent FDI. I believe that this limit should be raised to 49 percent.
Q. On post-CAS scenario I am of the opinion that cable operators in India have not come of age and the CAS may not serve the interests of the viewers for which it is intended. We should simultaneously launch DTH as alternate technology. Cable must be given competition by the DTH in the larger interest of the viewers.
Q. On shortage of trained TV journalists This is a very serious problem. The tragedy of all this is that even though most youngsters are very enthusiastic, they are not prepared to put in as much of labour and hard work in reading and researching the subject. Many youngsters are straightway sent to the field for the coverage by the news editors. They are not brought up through the rigour of mill and hard work. Today, unfortunately, TV news has become a mere show biz.
Q. On the increasing trend of breaking news The concept of 24-hour news channels is such that it has to give breaking news. But, the news editor must be able to decide as the copy taster in print news room, whether a particular event is really a breaking news or he is just creating a breaking news. In the pressure to compete, there is often temptation of breaking news where none is existing. It definitely impacts on the credibility of the channel.
Q. On mixing content with message It is a dangerous but short term trend to try and recover revenues. But in the process you get compromised. The answer to print media successfully fighting visual media lies in enhancing the readability of newspapers by improving the content. Because, it remains a fact that newspapers offer more content in the m orning than what TV can offer in 24 hours of the day.
Q. On the importance of Content Content will always be the king. The reason why newspapers are lagging amidst the onslaught of TV news is because they are not improving quality. They have to spend money to attract best professionals. Similarly on TV, Content is the key to success. You can use any kind of gimmicks like attractive packaging, animation and graphics. But ultimately what the viewers want is substance is in the content.
Q. On the content regulation I am in favour of content regulation. We need to have a watchdog body like Broadcast Standards Authority in Britain. In India there is urgent need to monitor content of the channels from the point of view of decency and to ensure that it does not impinge on the privacy and is not against the national interests.
Q. On trivializing news I believe that news has to be in traditional style - factual and informative. That is the basic purpose of news. Added to that, news analysis falls in the area of opinion like editorial and columns in the newspaper. It is however sad that often there is an attempt to trivialize news by including fashion and lifestyle in the news bulletins. This is certainly not a professional approach and does not make news bulletins popular among the viewers. Today TV viewers are very intelligent and they can weed out chaff from the grain.
Q. On war coverage on Indian channels It is sad that in the current situation even though we have so many news channels, covering Iraq War, they are not present either in Baghdad or elsewhere to give a clear cut, honest to God report on the war scenario from Indian journalist's eyes and ears. I fully appreciate that the coverage of war is a dangerous and expensive affair. But the channels should have come together along with a premier TV news agency like ANI to bring about pool coverage from totally Indian view point.
Q. On Impact of TV news boom on print news It will definitely hurt print news. In fact, it is already having some impact as large number of print journalists are looking for exposure on TV. Yet another major aspect is that TV is poaching for talent from the print. Because both print and TV need professionals who can effectively write and articulate their thoughts. The third significant aspect is that viewer, whether he likes or not, is flustered with message by the advertisers. But the news paper reader need not bother to look at or seek out the advertisement. So, this is hurting the revenue capability of print media.
Q. On news channels boom offering opportunities to content providers There is opportunity for everyone. Look at the number of print editors providing contents by way of news shows on Indian news channels. Similarly, content providers or software production companies like ANI are also getting more opportunities to provide news inputs.
Q. On FDI in print and TV news I fully subscribe to the government view point that only minority foreign equity should be allowed so that the editorial control and management remains with the Indians. After all, most nations protect their interests. Even Rupert Murdoch had to change his nationality to be able to own media interests in USA. I also support the idea of level playing field for print and TV news as far as FDI is concerned. But I just cannot understand the idea of allowing only 26 percent FDI. I believe that this limit should be raised to 49 percent.
Q. On post-CAS scenario I am of the opinion that cable operators in India have not come of age and the CAS may not serve the interests of the viewers for which it is intended. We should simultaneously launch DTH as alternate technology. Cable must be given competition by the DTH in the larger interest of the viewers.
Q. On shortage of trained TV journalists This is a very serious problem. The tragedy of all this is that even though most youngsters are very enthusiastic, they are not prepared to put in as much of labour and hard work in reading and researching the subject. Many youngsters are straightway sent to the field for the coverage by the news editors. They are not brought up through the rigour of mill and hard work. Today, unfortunately, TV news has become a mere show biz.
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