Kapil Sibal even suggested that Congress should take action against TV channels that he said promote false news, when it comes to power.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leaders came together to attack the media Saturday, accusing it of being partisan and lacking courage to take on the government.
One of them, former union minister Kapil Sibal, even said that the party should take action against those TV channels, which promote false news and propaganda, when it comes to power.
The strong views were expressed during a panel discussion on the media titled ‘Power of Truth’ at the AICC plenary session in the capital.
The panel included Sibal, Randeep Surjewala, Sushmita Dev, Rajeev Gowda, Divya Spandana and noted journalist Mrinal Pande. The discussion was moderated by newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Ketkar.
“Those who run media channels also have their business interests and in that case they don’t want to risk their business and hence get controlled by the government,” Sibal said.
“The Congress party should have a commitment that when it comes to power, action would be taken against these channels which promote false news and propaganda and also would work for separating business from media,” he added.
Congress communication in-charge Randeep Surjewala termed it as a conspiracy under the current government to deflect attention from real news. “Whenever there is news that seeks answers from the current government, the media starts discussing India-Pakistan or someone is made to give a controversial statement and the entire debate shifts to that subject,” he said.
“It’s not a coincidence that all TV channels run debates on similar subjects at the same time,” he added.
Surjewala even criticised the approach adopted by news anchors.
“Throughout the day these anchors fight with a neighboring country in their TV studios and win it by the evening. Next, they are battle ready again. If they have so much to fight for they should join the army,” he added.
Rajeev Gowda, Congress Rajya Sabha MP, claimed there is a lack of courage among media outlets to show real news. “Media lacks courage. Every time we have something explosive against the government, media finds ways to divert attention,” he said.
He cited the recent example of Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik being let off by the court for lack of evidence in pub assault case.
“Every TV channel has video footage with them which can prove that Muthalik is guilty but no one came out with the evidence or showed it on their channels,” Gowda said.
Mrinal Pande advocated that multiple media ownership should be discouraged to deal with the problem. “The problem is that the same person owns print, visual and online media and has a larger control over the narrative,” she said.
Congress MP Sushmita Dev raised questions about media credibility. “The power of advertisement is so big now that credibility is shifting towards social and online media,” she said.
Entirely agree. I wonder whether these news anchors really introspect on the canards and venom that they are spewing day and night for a ‘living’ when they go to bed.
When every regional party can have their own TV channel, why Congress party does not have its own channel to counter fake news?
Is there any doubt that the journalism, as a profession, has been leveraged by, not a few, practitioners to turn the tide against the Congress. Congress an old and fading party turned out to be an easy prey. It all started with the choreographed “India Against Corruption” Campaign where the TV icons arranged to park there OBC vans 24/7 and used Vinod Rai and his tricks to the advantage of the choreographers, the India Inc supported by RSS cadres. It has not stopped but has become more vicious now that Congress is no longer in a position to “use” vendetta against the India Inc. Where is the Lokpal now? Of course we are following the Gujarat model which never had any LokAyukt during the Namo rule. In fact, some of the TV channels have been indulging in figurative “sup ari business’ against those who pose any challenge to powers that are ascendant now. It appears, their editorial duties have been shifted to the PMO for they discuss the same inane Pak Bashing or denigration in more and more insidious ways of the Karnataka Govt (News-X0), Congress and Rahul Gandhi (Republic/Times Now). Also is it not evident that a large section of media has devalued journalism through its bias for RSS? Do an admittedly cultural organisation deserve a chair at the discussion table every night? It is not only RSS ideologues but the fellow of different foundation, all floated by the RSS who crowd these tables alongwith the official spokesmen of BJP? It is about time we realized that the media is no longer the watch dog but has become a fifth columnist for the forces which debunk our Constitution and the Idea if India it envisages.