When Deepak Chaurasia, the 30-year-old political editor of Aaj Tak, was announced the consulting editor of Prasar Bharati's news channel DD News, critics speculated if the decision was unwise. They opined, it is one thing to be on camera and report/cover events from different parts of the world and entirely another to head a news channel.
Chaurasia, who had ample experience in a private channel, nevertheless needed a certain perspective to join the pubcaster. For starters, he had to bear in mind that DD News is a far cry from private satellite channels (like Aaj Tak), where not just performance but accountability counts too.
The shift would be dramatic - from a result-oriented company to what most people believed was a government organisastion, with a 'sub kucch chalta hai' (everything goes) attitude. A former senior colleague of Chaurasia in Aaj Tak put it aptly while wishing him luck, "One hopes he understands what he is getting into!"
In this interview, indiantelevision.com's Anjan Mitra tries to demystify the mind of the man who could be DD's king - given his close ties with politicians - but can also end up as a scapegoat if the news channel relaunch fails.
Excerpts:
With what agenda have you stepped into DD News? With DD, reach and credibility have never been a problem - it has often been noticed that irrespective of what news channels people watch, they finally return to news on DD. Generating content is also not a problem with DD and its vast network. The problem with our channel arises with packaging of news, which I feel, private channels are better at. How you use the news and content you have so that it is compelling as well as attractive for the viewer - is what needs to be looked into. |
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How are you addressing the areas in which DD News has to be made competitive? Or to put flatly, how do you propose to remove deficiencies? However, the look and feel of the revamped DD News is good. Now we need to add some zing to the channel with some good packaging. |
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Can you illustrate how good packaging can make a difference to the channel? In short, our channel needs imaginative handling of news without resorting to sensationalism.
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Any other area that needs attention, in particular? Finally, DD News has to convey everything to the viewer keeping in mind the common man's perspective and interests. |
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Your statement sounds as if you have already started mouthing politicians' lines? Is it a precursor to unleashing government propaganda on DD News? As far as my backing the government is concerned, one must remember that the biggest source of news for every private channel is the government. Every ministry is tracked by the channels - almost every press conference of ministers is beamed live and the camera nowadays is also getting into the private lives of politicians and ministers. Why accuse only DD of being a vehicle for government propaganda? |
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You said it. While DD would gloss over all the deficiencies in the government, the private channels would highlight them for the benefit of the hoi-polloi. Would you agree this is what sets DD apart from other channels? DD would like to be remembered for communicating credible news and making complicated and difficult information easier for the viewers. |
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Does credibility also mean dull, boring and delivering news late, for DD? |
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What about Prasar Bharati chairman M V Kamath's example at the DD News relaunch function? |
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Coming from a channel like Aaj Tak, do you feel that the bureaucratic set-up of DD would allow you enough freedom to bring about changes? |
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You (as well as Prasar Bharati CEO) have indicated that there is in-house talent in DD. If that is so, why is DD News outsourcing programmes to some private producers? |
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At a time, when viewership and resultant TRPs are important to garner advertising revenue, would DD News also resort to the new syndrome of everything being 'breaking news' or 'exclusive' or 'live'? |
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Amidst so many already existing news channels, how would DD News carve its niche? |
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It is being alleged that you landed the assignment with DD because of your political connections, especially in the high quarters in the government. Your comments. All I want to say is, main mehnat karta gaya or siriyan judti gayee (I kept working hard and the rungs kept adding to the ladder, automatically). |
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You took some time before accepting the offer from DD? What was the dilemma? |
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As the consulting editor of DD News, are you expected to be on-screen only or do some behind the scene ideation and planning too, something you don't have much experience in? |
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Do you also harbor political ambition like some journalists-turned-politicians? |