Peepli [Live] does a reality check for TV journalism

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In 1994, when I entered the field of journalism, it was still a revered profession. Everywhere I went, people who knew me, warmed up to me when they learnt that I had chosen this noble profession. The electronic media was picking up steam and the profession had started gaining eyeballs each day. 'Newstrack' & 'Eye Witness', the extremely popular video news magazines had demonstrated how television journalism could make a difference. 'Parakh', yet another news magazine, had a significant fan following. 'The World This Week' had hooked an entire nation of television viewers and set very high standards in television production. It was then considered a dream come true to break into any of the top production houses of news television.

Cut to 2010. I walk into a theatre to watch the latest film release - Peepli [LIVE]. The film takes a lot of potshots at the Indian political system - politicians, bureaucrats and last, but certainly not the least, the media. The film is replete with instances how the media (specifically television) loses its mind while tracking news. The cinema hall reverberated with thunderous applause each time the media was lampooned. I joined in the chorus, not because I didn't wish to be left out, but because somewhere I partially agreed with the message.

Of course, the filmmaker had dramatised the sequences by adding a fair bit of 'tadka', but what the heck, artistes and filmmakers do enjoy a certain creative licence, don't they? What cannot be denied is that, by and large, what is portrayed in the film is not far away from reality today. Yes, the mushrooming of news channels and the constant chase for television rating points (TRPs) has led to some rotten apples spoiling the feast. But is it fair to paint the entire tribe of TV journalists with the same brush because some elements have discoloured the trade?

Just two years ago, I have distinct memories of watching 'Mumbai Meri Jaan' in a theatre at NOIDA. Even then, the media was targeted, and the public had lapped it up. I felt the anti-media sentiment seems to have gained considerable strength in the past 24 months. In this country, it is not unusual to bash our politicians and bureaucrats. The practice has been prevalent for a few decades now. The last decade, has, however, seen a new entry - the electronic media which like it or not, has been steadily rising in the hit and hate-list of the Indian middle-class. The reason why I say steadily rising is because the public apathy to television journalists seems to have upped considerably in the last two years.

Do I disagree with the growing public opinion when it comes to the media? Yes, to some extent. Did I clap when the public applauded when the media was ridiculed in these two films? Yes, I did. Is there a contradiction there? No. Am I now ashamed or embarrassed to be in this profession? Certainly not. Worried yes, embarrassed no.

While I agree that there were a few excesses made by fellow journalists in the last few years, it is a fact that television journalism has had a huge impact in exposing corruption and increasing transparency and probity in public life. Had it not been for television journalism, the likes of Manu Sharma, Vikas Yadav, Santosh Singh & former IPS Officer Rathore would perhaps have been roaming free in society after committing heinous offences.

Had it not been for the fear of television cameras, politicians and babus wouldn't have been half as cautious of being caught in corruption as they are today.

It is widely believed that if LIVE new television existed in 1992, Babri Masjid would not have fallen. Had it not been for TV cameras, the Meham massacre wouldn't have been exposed.

Every profession has a few insiders who spoil the broth. But it is equally true that there are a large number of equally committed members who are in it for the pursuit of excellence and who strive to bring a positive difference to society.

So how do we clean the air and wipe out the stains cast on our noble profession? We journalists can counter this menace by continuing to pursue serious and honest journalism. As viewers, you can stem the rot by switching off channels which bring a bad name to the profession. If there are no viewers left, such journalism wouldn't last even for a second.

Make no mistake, Peepli [LIVE] is written and directed by a television journalist. It just goes to show that as journalists, we are willing to laugh at ourselves if need be and acknowledge the stain that has come to smear our chosen field of work. But ask Anusha Rizvi, the writer and director of Peepli [LIVE] if she has given up on TV journalism and you will get the answer. Absolutely not (I hope and pray)!