More is not merrier for news channels to excel

As the round -the -clock -news channels complete 20 years in the country, the Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde’s observation last month about television news has special significance. Although he made those observations in the context of a news channel, its larger ramifications should not be lost sight of. His comments remind a larger malice under carpet. Or under the weight of a self-aggrandisement of channels. In a rare insight on October 26 in the context of the controversy involving the Republic TV’s news chief, the CJI Bobde noted that “I cannot stand the bombast on TV ...this was never a part of our public discourse... (should be) concerned with peace and harmony of the society. There has to be responsibility in reportage”. Within a fortnight there after in another context of a Kerala journalist, the Supreme Court referred to "unfair reporting" of channels. And another judge of the Supreme Court said in the course of the hearings that on his own he "will not watch" (such news presentations).