Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NEWS REPORT: former England captain and commentator, Mike Atherton, has slammed BCCI officials for trying to gag TV commentators during the current India versus England series.
Senior BCCI officials in conference with the cricket commentators.
BCCI Boss 1: We are not satisfied with your TV commentary.
Commentator 1: In what way?
BCCI Boss 2: You talk too much. Once the fourth ball is bowled you must keep quiet because we have to accommodate 25 commercials between overs.
Commentator 2: But that8217;s not possible. Viewers will scream!
BCCI Boss 3: We are not concerned with what viewers want. We are aiming at a revenue of one trillion dollars from TV rights.
BCCI Boss 1: Also, we seriously object to one of you mentioning farmers suicides in India. Don8217;t you know this reflects badly on our president who is also the agriculture minister. Also, one of you mentioned an 8220;agriculture8221; stroke played by a batsman. That too is not proper.
Commentator 2: But it was an ungainly shot.
BCCI Boss 3: Also, you guys make too many comments about the slow pitches and how they unduly favour Indian bowlers. But that8217;s just the point. Don8217;t you want India to win?
Commentator 4: But we are supposed to be neutral on these issues.
BCCI boss 1: And don8217;t keep harping about our boys playing too much cricket. How else can they make millions and the Board, its trillion? Our boys are accustomed to the heat and if some of them have a sun stroke, we can always send them to recuperate in the UK or Australia. By the way, you guys have forgotten to mention the names of two officials at the last presentation ceremony. This is a serious lapse.
Commentator 1: What can we do? The presentation party is getting larger by the day. In the last match there were 65 members! Most other countries make do with three or four.
BCCI Boss 2: This is our way of doing things. You repeat these mistakes and you8217;ll be out of the commentary box. Don8217;t say we didn8217;t warn you!
