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Indian news channels are doing a repeat of the Aarushi Talwar case in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. Back then, scurrilous source based stories were spread about the young girl, her parents & Hemraj. A decade may have passed but the same editors are at work even today
How should a newsroom investigate a story? Field reporters pick information on various angles of the story, cross check through multiple sources, pass it through multiple editorial filters and only those that have been backed by facts should go on air. The rest are discarded
Indian TV newsrooms have demolished that age old system. There is an input team often manned by senior editors and a bunch of juniors. The output team again led by senior editors have a bunch of junior and mid level output editors who decide what goes on air.
So the reporter should ideally tell his Input editor or vertical editor. They should discuss with the output editors and decide on what should go on air and the same is conveyed to the field reporter. Anchors are often peripheral to the process unless they have editorial roles
But Indian TV newsrooms have reversed the process with zero accountability. The field reporter is a puppet who is left at the mercy of the output desk who decide what the ‘spin’ on the story should be.This decision is often dependent on the last TRP & TV screens of rival channels
Even the experienced output editors have either given up or turning a blind eye to how this process has been violated. TV reporters privately admit how they are left at the mercy of their star anchors/editors who in turn cultivates only those who are willing to do as they say
“It doesn’t matter what I know as a reporter. If I don’t say it, someone else will be placed for the live show link,” said a TV reporter who is frustrated at how big stories are covered. It doesn’t matter if you are convinced. Fall in line or get sidelined
Indian TV journalism is lucky that we don’t have libel laws or a culture where those bearing the brunt of this attack take them to court. Politicians are thick skinned and usually ignore, celebs wait for the news cycle to move even as newsrooms make merry at the day’s outrage
Most of the TV editors and journalists I know complain in private but end up doing the same. I have asked them why haven’t they moved out if they feel so strongly about it. EMIs, lack of other opportunities are often cited. In short, you can’t do much about it, so suck it up. End
