I have a (half-baked) theory as to why #TVnews turns sweet-natured people into chest-thumping anchors. If this sounds batshit crazy, let me know!
I speak as a former TV reporter, anchor, producer, 'deskie' and editor. This might have been my lot if I'd stayed in TV.
I speak as a former TV reporter, anchor, producer, 'deskie' and editor. This might have been my lot if I'd stayed in TV.
1. People need jobs, and if you've already put in 10-12 years or more, you're very likely in a pretty 'senior' role. This is because TV news in India (for the most part) is pretty young and you won't be blocked by those in their and 60s, and so you can advance pretty quickly.
What this means is that after so many years, you have a lot to lose. You've probably got multiple financial commitments, and the salary (while pitiful compared to other professions) is still significant.
2. As the years go by, journalism standards plunge more on TV news & the work gets tougher, you realize you have two choices: a) get out or b) entrench yourself in further. Those in a position to do so, get out of TV. This depends on a number of factors beyond your control.
Also remember, while TV skills are easily transferable, convincing people in Print and Digital journalism (or in new professions) that you can do the job and still maintain 'seniority' is not easy.
You end up feeling like the only option for you then is to entrench yourself further. Also maybe, your natural personality lends itself pretty well to the medium. (When done well, TV news is wonderful.)
So how do you entrench yourself?
So how do you entrench yourself?
3. Now there's no such thing as "let me survive, keep a low profile and continue to earn money" in Indian TV news.
No, in Indian TV anchoring, in order to 'survive', you actually have to 'thrive'. Thriving in other words is a survival strategy.
No, in Indian TV anchoring, in order to 'survive', you actually have to 'thrive'. Thriving in other words is a survival strategy.
If you're on air, there is no such thing as 'survive'. You'll lose your job or be sidelined if you do that. There's only 'thrive'. So you find yourself becoming more shrill, more strident, more ideologically committed, more everything.
You're only human, and you got into journalism with the best of intentions. But you're now stuck. And so you embark on a series of weird rationalizations to salvage your conscience at becoming this shoutey, chest-thumpey person who doesn't appear to believe in nuance and balance.
You surround yourself with others who think the same. You live in the newsroom/studio or Delhi (which in itself is a bubble) and lose touch with reality. Or something like that.
Truth is, I don't know where this story goes...picture abhi baaki hain.
Truth is, I don't know where this story goes...picture abhi baaki hain.
Disclaimers: this is NOT about people like Arnab (or my former boss Rajdeep whom I respect). For opposite reasons, they are beyond the scope of what I'm saying because they were part of the 'first wave' of TV news. I'm talking about 'second wave' people like me
and 'third wave' people. I was lucky enough to have left TV news in early 2014...but many of my dearest friends continue to work in this medium. They're the best company and they're great friends. But (said without any intended condescension) I worry about them. Fin.
