Kolkata, Jan 15 (IANS) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Thursday slammed a section of the media for "going beyond extremes" in generating sensational and voyeuristic reports and "defaming" him day after day.
Tharoor launched his latest book "India Shastra" in Kolkata which includes an essay on "Our Free and Irresponsible Media".
Commenting on the evolution of India media from the "dull, unimaginative" days while he was growing up to the trend of breaking news on 24x7 news television channels, the Congress leader said the transformation has been for the worse.
"We have carried this beyond extremes and I think the advent of 24x7 news television is to blame because there is no question that, that has transformed the nature of the entire Indian press and print media.
"You see a race to the bottom in terms of most sensationalistic, most voyeuristic , most headline grabbing attention report that will get you temporarily get you a TRP or two so that you can crow how many more eyeballs you attracted than the other channel," said Tharoor here.
Going through troubled times in his personal life, the former union minister blamed a section of the media for "defaming him".
You may also be interested in:
India facing Climate of Mounting Intolerance: Tharoor
Tharoor observed there are too many TV channels and all are fighting the battle for survival of the fittest, the after-effects of which have trickled down to print media, including respectable publications.
"Partly, there is some economic reason but there are too many channels. Many of them are losing money therefore they have to fight the survival of the fittest.
"In the process they have also infected the print media. The publications which used to have a certain respectability feel obliged to write what their readers have already seen as so-called breaking news on TV. The transformation has happened for the worse, for the health of our democracy," he said.
Delhi Police have said Tharoor may be questioned soon in connection with the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.
Pushkar, 52, was found dead in a luxury hotel in Delhi Jan 17, 2014. Police have now said she was poisoned.
After the formation of the Labour Party government in Britain, whatever little uncertainty there
The Indian team defeated Australia by 4 wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trop
These days everyone is talking about the case that happened in Ghaziabad. Recently a heart-wrench
The controversy of Lakhimpur Kheri had not even cooled down that now a similar case has come to t
Crude oil prices are once again seen crossing the hundred dollars per barrel. Crude oil reached c
These 5G smartphones will soon be launched in India in 2021, know the features and price
Tech companies are now focusing on 5G smartphones according to the changing market. By the year 2
IMF: IMF advised countries to save foreign exchange reserves, said- they should be used judiciously
The IMF has urged countries to preserve vital foreign reserves amid the strengthening of the US d
SIIMA 2024: After winning the award, Aishwarya said- It means a lot, my guru directed the film
Aishwarya Rai won the Best Actress (Critics) award in the lead role at the South Indian Internati
China has become a big trader, but it does not have dollars and western bonds. The average age of
World Cup: West Indies thump Pakistan by 150 runs
Christchurch. Feb 21 (IANS) A much-improved all-round performance helped the West Indies thump
