Launch bumpy, needs to cruise

Pity Star News and Sahara Samay. The news channels which went on air last week. They have dropped anchor right in the middle of a war. If th...

Pity Star News and Sahara Samay. The news channels which went on air last week. They have dropped anchor right in the middle of a war. If the conflict had been in our neighbourhood, that would have been baptism blessing for a news channel. Nothing like a good war to get you going. Unfortunately, the battle is between American and British forces and the Iraqis, far away in the desert storms of the Gulf.

The channels are caught in a cleft. On the one hand, the Iraq war may be of only passing interest to the Hindi-speaking Indian public, on the other it is the major media event of the year and has quite eclipsed the new channels8217; debut. Perhaps that8217;s just as well for Star News. One week in the life of any channel is nothing to go by so it need not worry. It can only get better as it grows older. However, for starters it8217;s been disappointing. That8217;s because apart from a moment here a glance there, it grips you about as much as a limp hand. The problem is not that it has no news, or views, the problem is that it8217;s a bit of bore.

From the opening sequence of what appear to be twirling flags to the sets and presentation, the channel seems muted for all its anchors8217; tasteful grooming. Star pales in comparison to the blindingly bright Aaj Tak and new-look Zee News. There have been errors, technical, editorial and in presentation but those are natural in a start-up channel. What8217;s worrying is the lack of innovation 8211; apart from the eye-catching 100-second news highlights 8211; and an ineffable quality that would make the channel stand out in the huddle of news channels. Using new young anchors, even a few TV stars is no compensation. As of now, Star News is a lightweight in a heavyweight class. So was Mohammed Ali once, so it has time on its side.

So far, Aaj Tak8217;s Headlines Today has appeared for a few tantalisingly brief minutes, a few times a day. That makes any judgement difficult. The full length English language channel is set to begin today. From what we have been allowed to see, the channel is certainly different and should be easily identifiable. If for no other reason than it is hiring school children. That is what they look and sound like 8211; squeaky and oh so very young. The entire get up is brash, with a conversational style that is breathless and might end up being juvenile. If the attempt is to attract the younger generation which normally does not watch the news, Headlines Today could well succeed. They claim, however, to be 8216;8216;sharp news for sharp people8217;8217;. With sharp noses, nails, tongues or minds? We8217;ll find out soon enough.

Conflict Zone: The Indians electronic media has finally arrived. Prabhat Shungloo is the first Indian electronic journalist in Basra, claimed Star News. His Friday night reports consisted of a roadside chat with an American soldier on the nature of the propaganda pamphlets he was distributing to passing civilians.

The Indian media have been difficult to locate on the terrain of war. Apart from DD8217;s Satish Jacob, they are based in Kuwait City where there are plenty of Indians to make them feel at home. Alternatively, they are hanging out on the Iraq-Jordan border or Amman. Why they don8217;t trip across to Doha in Qatar which is the Central Command for the coalition forces is a mystery in the desert. Frankly, they might as well return home because we know more about what 8216;s .going on there from here than they do from there.