Interviewing: the Media Passion
Interviews on the TV News Channels seem to be one way that a person may be able to go beyond just the news, and get beyond what appears, an obvious approach for those curious.
Years before Indian News Channels commenced their operations, it was just Hard Talk by Tim Sabastian and Larry King Live from CNN. While they could grow on the persons being spoken to, they had/ have courage to take the flak or back down when the situation demanded.
During Tim's period Hard Talk was certainly true to its title, uncomfortable questions were the norm. Nevertheless, they were more to get into the subject, rather than subjective, as is commonplace in Indian News Channels.
There was this eledrly BBC Correspondent from Africa, whose name I can not recall, spoke to the person being interviewed as they had a long walk. Whatever we saw, it had its own distinct style. Shekhar Gupta's "Walk the Talk" is though a clandestine imitation of the original, nevertheless objective enough to be listened to. Only the walks are restricted to lawns in the 5 Star Prperties.
This brings me to some of the Indian News Channels, that are generally go on to grill the persons being interviewed. More often than not, they are subjective, seem to want to indulge in brinkmanship with the interviewee, and instead of getting into the subject being discussed. This could be either given to their very lack of depth on the subject, or their very weekness for "One up manship" syndrome. Either of these is dumb, or is it? Wonder where does the wisdom lie?
Some also seem to be playing to gallery (TRPs), an insult to the public wanting to see them interview.
Karan Thapar, to say the least, is most dumb. Generally gives a feeling, that the person he is talking to has no depth or experience, and, well, giving an impression that the person is the witness box meant for person alleged to have committed a crime under IPC. The first pit he falls into is showing scant respect to the experiences, depth and position of the interviewee. He has been snubbed many a times, ones one recalls is Jayalalitha and Lalu, but insists that he does not learn. Thanks to some 'clever by half' organisation that has recognised him a 'some journalist of some year'. The result is that the person being interviewed comes totally defensive and the very esercise is self defeating.
Prabhu Chawla enjoys 'Chuski'. Sometimes this can be double edged, as it was in case of inimmitable Rakhi Sawant. Surprisingly his editorials/ articles in Mail Today are more profound and forthright, giving an impression of having knowledge of public administration as well as politics that be.
Arnab Goswami of Times Now is again seems to follow the path, and seems to be talking, as domeneering teacher to a class of small children. However, of late he seems to getting grater finnesse.
Aroop, or is it Arup (apologies) of News X, is a breath of fresh air. He seems to provide room for maneouvre, as such gets the truth. His approach of placing the interviewee at the padestal he should be, makes it easy for the person being interviewed to be forthright and candid, well may be focussed too. He shall do well to be more bold to be able to give the viewers more. I guess it could be part of the overall approach and policy directives of the Channel Board and Management.
Though Amitabh Bachhan, may not come strictly into this category, during 'Crorepati' he swayed varily between understanding interviewer to taking 'chuski', depending on the situation.
Oprah Winfrey, is just too appropriate, and people voluteer information.
It shall be well for the media persons concerned to consider all factors having any bearing on the subject (home work), and respect the interviewee, afterall he is their client
This post is incomplete and shall require regular up dating as the time passes.
Years before Indian News Channels commenced their operations, it was just Hard Talk by Tim Sabastian and Larry King Live from CNN. While they could grow on the persons being spoken to, they had/ have courage to take the flak or back down when the situation demanded.
During Tim's period Hard Talk was certainly true to its title, uncomfortable questions were the norm. Nevertheless, they were more to get into the subject, rather than subjective, as is commonplace in Indian News Channels.
There was this eledrly BBC Correspondent from Africa, whose name I can not recall, spoke to the person being interviewed as they had a long walk. Whatever we saw, it had its own distinct style. Shekhar Gupta's "Walk the Talk" is though a clandestine imitation of the original, nevertheless objective enough to be listened to. Only the walks are restricted to lawns in the 5 Star Prperties.
This brings me to some of the Indian News Channels, that are generally go on to grill the persons being interviewed. More often than not, they are subjective, seem to want to indulge in brinkmanship with the interviewee, and instead of getting into the subject being discussed. This could be either given to their very lack of depth on the subject, or their very weekness for "One up manship" syndrome. Either of these is dumb, or is it? Wonder where does the wisdom lie?
Some also seem to be playing to gallery (TRPs), an insult to the public wanting to see them interview.
Karan Thapar, to say the least, is most dumb. Generally gives a feeling, that the person he is talking to has no depth or experience, and, well, giving an impression that the person is the witness box meant for person alleged to have committed a crime under IPC. The first pit he falls into is showing scant respect to the experiences, depth and position of the interviewee. He has been snubbed many a times, ones one recalls is Jayalalitha and Lalu, but insists that he does not learn. Thanks to some 'clever by half' organisation that has recognised him a 'some journalist of some year'. The result is that the person being interviewed comes totally defensive and the very esercise is self defeating.
Prabhu Chawla enjoys 'Chuski'. Sometimes this can be double edged, as it was in case of inimmitable Rakhi Sawant. Surprisingly his editorials/ articles in Mail Today are more profound and forthright, giving an impression of having knowledge of public administration as well as politics that be.
Arnab Goswami of Times Now is again seems to follow the path, and seems to be talking, as domeneering teacher to a class of small children. However, of late he seems to getting grater finnesse.
Aroop, or is it Arup (apologies) of News X, is a breath of fresh air. He seems to provide room for maneouvre, as such gets the truth. His approach of placing the interviewee at the padestal he should be, makes it easy for the person being interviewed to be forthright and candid, well may be focussed too. He shall do well to be more bold to be able to give the viewers more. I guess it could be part of the overall approach and policy directives of the Channel Board and Management.
Though Amitabh Bachhan, may not come strictly into this category, during 'Crorepati' he swayed varily between understanding interviewer to taking 'chuski', depending on the situation.
Oprah Winfrey, is just too appropriate, and people voluteer information.
It shall be well for the media persons concerned to consider all factors having any bearing on the subject (home work), and respect the interviewee, afterall he is their client
This post is incomplete and shall require regular up dating as the time passes.
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