How about a poll code for TV news

TV coverage of the elections compels people to lie. When TV will ask the candidate from Lucknow what his chances are against Vajpayee, do yo...

TV coverage of the elections compels people to lie. When TV will ask the candidate from Lucknow what his chances are against Vajpayee, do you expect him to say, ‘‘Nil’’? No. He will say something altruistic like, ‘‘I will work for the upliftment of my constituency’’, knowing very well he never will have to. When anchors ask BJP or Congress who will win the elections, they give you an identical answer: we will. So when Balbir Punj claimed with all the assurance of fact, that BJP would make gains in seven states, you were not in the least surprised (Newsnight, NDTV 24X7).

Another certainty: the trivial will occupy as much TV space as the substantive and will be debated with equal seriousness. Thus, Thursday, Vinay Katiyar’s childish aspersions on Sonia Gandhi (like Helen of Troy destruction caused by foreign woman) created a furore on TV. Isn’t that precisely why they were made? And aren’t ‘‘unverified allegations’’ a violation of the Election Code of Conduct? Last week on Aaj Tak, VHP’s Praveen Togadia made offensive remarks about Muslims, and how appeasement would lead to further terrorism in the country. The Election Code clearly states that parties and candidates should not ‘‘indulge in any activity which may aggravate differences between castes and communities…’’ Since Togadia is neither a candidate nor does he belong to a recognised political party, he has license to say what he likes and the media, shamelessly, encourages him. Perhaps the Election Commission should watch more TV and devise a Code that takes into account 24-hour news?

Similarly, something should be done to prevent Najma Heptullah making the rounds of every single news channel to proclaim her admiration for Vajpayee and dislike of Sonia Gandhi. She did it, initially, on NDTV 24X7 and hasn’t stopped since. The fact that she’s still a Congresswoman — of her own sweet will — we may add, seems to fuel her emotions. Last week she was on Sabe TV and CNBC, alternately, drooling and spitting fire. She was hot and happening at first, but unless she actually does something (like leave Congress) she’s stale like old bread.

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India Shining may be off the air, but it’s still circulating in the atmosphere. The manner in which Ten Sports has been summarily coerced into sharing the telecast of the India-Pakistan matches with DD is solely to make cable viewers ‘feel good’ just before the elections. Yes, a public service broadcaster should enjoy terrestrial rights to sports events of national importance. However, in India, every single cricket series involving India, is of national importance. Also, the Cable Act forces all cable operators to show three DD channels. Cable homes now receive the cricket telecast for free so why should they subscribe to Ten Sports? Moral of the story? In life, you can’t have it both ways; during general elections you can have pretty much what you want.

Speaking of cricket, notice how Sahara, the official sponsors of the Indian cricket team, sees to it that Ganguly and Inzaman give exclusive interviews to Sahara Samay on Captain Speak.

Zee’s new thriller Kaun has begun strongly. Two first class murder stories, taut with strong performances from the actors. The same cannot be said for Aman Verma as the evil spirit in Devi (Sony). Wearing a wig that doesn’t suit his baby face, rolling his eyes and arms like a Ferris wheel, he appears more retarded than evil. Ansh in Kyunki…(Star Plus) is also a curio. He’s been significantly silent and half-naked since he hunkered onto the screen as Tulsi’s long lost son. Poor boy usually allows his muscular body to do his talking. So when he declares himself to Nandini, he tries to possess her with his hands. When that’s unsuccessful, he utters three little words: ‘‘I want you’’. He might have better luck if he considered shaving.

Meanwhile on Kittie Party (Zee), the latest in television chic: ex-wives move in with former husbands. Tina has dislocated her shoulder and is taken in by ex Sudhir while Manju is back in Raj’s house, and refuses to leave. They’re not ‘divorced’, but he’s ‘married’ to Rewa. These are not love triangles but the geometry of hate on display.

Trump accepts tariffs caused ‘rift with India,’ says it wasn’t an easy thing to do

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Trump acknowledges that steep tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil have strained relations between the two countries. Talks to reduce tariffs have stalled as India resists opening its agricultural and dairy sectors. Despite the rift, Trump signals a potential reset and his nominee for ambassador to India says progress is likely.

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