After being ordered, only last year, to shut its round the clock news channel and hiring nearly 19 correspondents through the services of a headhunter, Doordarshan has decided to commission America’s war on Iraq, if and when that happens, to production house Third Eye for Rs five lakh per episode lasting half an hour. And with nearly 20 episodes planned out that will be Rs one crore to one company for a war that is yet to be waged. Reason? Doordarshan, with 21 relay kendras across the country, 15 part-time anchors and 15 newspersons on its rolls in Delhi alone (the figures exclude the correspondents of All India Radio) and with DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering equipment) in place, does not have the professional expertise or the technical capabilities to cover a war, Director General S.Y. Quraishi said today. The cost of insurance to employees, travelling, insuring the equipment was running into crores, much higher than the present arrangement. So, the decision to commission it to Third Eye! The programme has been tentatively titled Gulf War-India Cares, India Counts — the despatches will start from Monday next week. With exclusive interviews with leaders of the world, DD does not want to be left behind. There will be live reporting from Baghdad, Kuwait, Kabul, Jerusalem and Washington and London — courtesy Third Eye. Depending on how long the conflict continues, DD has made a primary arrangement of 20 days, starting around February 27 — programmes will roll out in Hindi and English.
