Key Points
In 2023, the media is split wide open like the political class: theres the Modi media and then theres the Lutyens mediaother journalistic enterprises live precariously between the two...
The prime time debate has a staleness to it: anchors attack the opposition; some guests have taken up permanent residence on certain shows (Shehzad Poonawala, anyone?); anchors deliver opinions as if by roteand interrupt speakers every third second..
Once ardent 9 pm news opera disciples, now prefer to watch Korean soaps on streaming channels (Netflix)unless, of course, they are interrupted by don Atiq Ahmed being gunned down on live TV (April), the trapped miners rescue in Uttarakhand (November), or Parliament under attack (December) with the ludicrous sight of journalists playing catch-the canister-if you-can..
But their avuncular eloquence charmed the media and theyre right behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in TVs list of favourite people...
You see that in Gaza too: coverage of Israels relentless assault on Gazans, most of them children, in the international media is starting to weakenwe hopethe western governments support for the attacks...
