War of the Anchors
The war of words between popular late night American television host John Oliver and Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami has become a major talking point in global media circles. The nasty exchanges started when Goswami took on Oliver for his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the latter’s show, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. Goswami was quick to take on Oliver for his comment that “some die-hard Modi supporters like Arnab Goswami, the Tucker Carlson of India” (Carlson is an ultra-conservative TV host on Fox News and a fervent backer of Donald Trump). Goswami responded in his inimitable style, calling Oliver an “ignoramus of exceedingly global proportions”.
Oliver, whose show combines satire and comedy, replied: “I’m beyond the capacity for shame.” Oliver had also criticised Hotstar for opting not to telecast his Modi episode in India. Hotstar is owned by Disney, and the latest Arnab-Oliver spat on air does bear resemblance to one of its iconic cartoons.
Thin Skins
The official broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, like the NDA government, is overly sensitive to criticism from foreign news outlets. This was evident from the broadcaster’s CEO, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, turning down an invitation to attend an awards function organised by the BBC. His reason, given in writing, was over the BBC’s coverage of the recent riots in Northeast Delhi. Jamie Angus, the BBC World Service Group Director, responded: “We were sorry that he (Vempati) didn’t feel able to join us but think that it is right that we continue to report accurately and independently on events as we find them. And we are happy to take the consequences of that.”
In his letter declining the invite, addressed to BBC Director General Tony Hall, Vempati said that he was “dismayed” at the BBC’s “one-sided version” on the Delhi violence. BBC coverage, based on live interviews and on-the-spot reports, had focused on how Muslims were selectively targeted in the violence.
The IPL Question
All over the world, sporting events are being postponed/ cancelled or played behind closed doors as a response to the novel coronavirus crisis. That has also raised questions about the Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to start on March 29. A majority of the IPL matches will be played in states affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. The big loser, if the tournament hits the coronavirus roadblock, will be Star TV which has paid Rs 16,347.5 crore for the media and digital rights for five years of the IPL. As the official broadcaster, Star TV has already signed up Rs 700-750 crore worth of advertising from brands for IPL 2020.
With the coronavirus scare prompting people to avoid crowds—IPL matches are played to packed stadiums—there are questions being raised about whether this could lead to the tourney being affected and the government, as a precautionary measure, asking BCCI to call off this year’s IPL. And if that does happen, broadcaster Star TV will face a huge loss.
Already, the Maharashtra health minister has confirmed that discussions are on in the government on whether to postpone the IPL due to the growing number of coronavirus cases in India.
Lead Picture: Video grab