THE CHARM, THE HARM AND THE HAMARTIA

The fall of NDTV, caught between God and Mammon

- CAPT G.R. GOPINATH

Is it curtains for independent television, with the exit of Prannoy and Radhika Roy from the NDTV promoters' board? Is it also the end of civilised television debate? Prannoy Roy, the founder of NDTV, was the epitome of grace and courteousness. He had a natural charm and was always cool and composed. He was unruffled even amidst a heated and polarising debate. Uncouth aggressive guests calmed down in his presence because he was not condescending. He never talked down to his guests and panelists as if they were idiots.

Can we say the same about the rest of our anchors on various channels, most of whom seem to be on steroids? Instead of eliciting opinions from all guests so that their audience can make up their mind on the contested issues, most of these anchors browbeat the speakers and shout them down if their opinions are at variance with their own. Even the junior anchors of Prannoy Roy often crossed swords with various BJP spokespersons, causing walkouts.

They did not learn from him the fine art of moderating and moderation while remaining dispassionate.

NDTV anchors were known to question the BJP government. Ravish Kumar, who anchored its Hindi channel and was a harsh critic of the party, has almost a cult following in the Hindi heartland. A free press should be a watchdog against those who exercise power-irrespective of the party or individual in power.

There are those who think that NDTV and Prannoy were blatantly anti-Modi and pro-Congress. Like Caesar's wife, a journalist should be above suspicion. A journalist walks on the razor edge. The moment he attacks the ruling party he is in danger of being perceived as serving the interest of the opposition. NDTV, however, may not be able to shake off charges that it was soft on the Congress during the United Progressive Alliance years.

Notwithstanding those accusations, Prannoy Roy strode like a colossus and pioneered television news reporting and election forecasting.