Frustrations and Inequalities in Media: A Closer Look at TV and News Channels
Have you ever found yourself feeling infuriated by the content you see on your favorite TV show or news channel? It's a common experience, and today, we will delve into some of the underlying issues that might be making your blood boil. We’ll start with a personal anecdote and then broaden our scope to explore broader media issues.
The Scene That Frustrated Me
So today, I was watching (Total Drama: Makin’ Chaos On Campus) and there was a scene where Tapu Sena was having a video call, and everyone was frustrated about the COVID-19 restrictions. Meanwhile, Sonu mentions that she helps her mother with chores during her spare time, to which Goli responds with a disgusted face, saying, “AREY YAAR! MUJHE BHI LADKI HONA CHAHIYE THA SAARA DIN KITCHEN MEIN KHAANA BANATA AUR KHATA” (Hey friend! I also wish I could be a girl and do all the cooking and cleaning in the kitchen all day long).
What struck me about Goli's comment is the gendered frustration it entails. It's stunning how we still believe that a boy has a right to stay out of the kitchen merely because he is a boy. This mindset is not only unfair but also shows a great lack of gratitude towards mothers who work tirelessly in the kitchen and elsewhere. In the wider context, many young boys, just like Goli, are taught that their role is limited to specific domains, especially when it comes to household chores and care work, which is a manifestation of gender inequality.
TV Frustrations: Gender and Household Inequalities
The scene from highlights a wider societal issue. It’s disappointing to see how TV shows sometimes perpetuate misconceptions and inequalities without challenging them. While most of the things depicted in this serial are senseless, this particular scene hit a nerve for me, mainly because it goes against the values of community and mutual support that should be encouraged. You could easily stop watching a show like this if you find it frustrating, but we should make sure that the media we consume is reflective of the kind of society we want to build.
The Evolution of News Channels
Now, let's broaden our lens to another aspect of media: news channels. In the past, the “news” on television channels were quite different. Channels like DD Chandana, Udaya News, and others used to broadcast news only 2 to 3 times a day, focusing on the most important national topics. They compensated for the rest of the time with movies, songs, and classical dances. However, things have changed. News channels now are more about rating points (TRPs) and less about the quality and substance of the news.
TRPs, or Target Rating Points, are metrics used in marketing and advertising to indicate the percentage of the target audience reached by a campaign or advertisement through a communication medium. News channels now mainly broadcast content that enhances their TRPs by focusing on politics, cricket, astrology, celebrities, and their personal lives. While these aspects are not entirely unnecessary, they should be balanced with more substantial news that addresses real-world issues like farmers' struggles, water scarcity, global warming, scientific achievements, and military conditions. One of the problems is that people often rely on news channels for information only, without supplementing it with other sources, such as newspapers or online articles.
Why Our News Channels Need to Change
So, you might ask, why do news channels need to change? They have a unique platform to enlighten people and make a difference in society. But do they? My answer is yes, and every news channel has the potential to be a positive influence if they choose to. They can focus on the real issues that affect people's lives and bring about meaningful change.
Andrea Vittoria Gallo, a former journalist and now the CEO of MEINDEI, emphasizes the importance of news channels playing a more educational role. By providing more in-depth and accurate information, they can help inform and empower their audience to make informed decisions. If news channels can strive to be more responsible and informative, they can indeed make a significant impact.
In conclusion, the frustration you feel when watching TV or seeing biased news coverage is a call to action. It’s a reminder that we need to be conscious consumers of media and advocate for more equitable and informative content. Whether it’s a gendered scene in a TV show or a news channel that focuses more on TRPs than real issues, we all have a role to play in demanding better from the media we consume.