If your show is being criticized by both sides, you are doing a good job: Sumit Awasthi

Journalism has deteriorated significantly over the years but journalists alone are not responsible for this situation. Viewers too have contributed to it, says Consulting Editor, NDTV, at the e4m NewsNext Conference held in Delhi on Saturday. 

Delivering a keynote address on the topic of “Should journalists be concerned about criticism?” Awasthi stated, “If you do a show and then are abused here and there, it means that you are bothering both sides. You are doing a good job. You are at least on the right path. If you are doing bad journalism, you are painted as Darbari media and Modi media. We are very sensitive about criticism but the question is who is criticizing? What is being criticized is not important.”

Explaining his point, Awasthi said, “Living in Delhi and sitting in the 5-star room is different. When you go out in 40-42 degrees, 50 km away from Delhi, you see people don't get water and their crops are drying. You don't have to work hard, just go 50 km from Delhi. Are we giving journalists the opportunity to share such stories?”

“Heated and polarized debates get high TRPs, real stories don’t. Those who enjoy heated debates and share them on social media platforms should introspect why they prefer such shows instead of ground reporting. I admit that journalists are culprit number 1 for the deteriorating quality of journalism, but viewers are culprit number 2.”

Now, TV channels also enjoy doing such debates that require minimal resources. Panelists don’t even need to come to TV channel offices. Channels don’t need to send OB vans to panelists for recording. People can connect to the shows through Zoom, Sumit Awasthi remarked. 

To make his point, Awasthi stated, “Recently, a FICCI report revealed that if women also get paid for the house chores, India’s GDP will go up to 7 percent. I am sure most people are unaware of this report. Such reports don’t get much TRPs.”

He also noted how in older days, ministers were excited to participate in TV shows along with opposition leaders. Now the situation is such that only one party runs the show. Other parties are not invited to counter their claims. It is an easy way to kill good journalism.

“As viewers we should introspect and think how many of us are guilty of this? Why don't you like good journalism, hard-working journalism, and ground reports but love debates where two, three, four politicians sit together and shout against each other. They don't even come to the topic. They know that this debate show will end in 18 minutes. I have to give an 18-minute speech in this debate show and my job is done.”

Urging viewers to encourage TV channels to do ground journalism, Awasthi shared, “TV anchors, who are spokespersons of a party, are empowered. People who are questioning the people in power are being targeted. We need people’s support in doing good journalism.”

He reminded viewers that it is quite difficult to go to Manipur and cover the violence against women unless viewers support the media.