Rumblings over Doordarshan programmes

Gone are the days when viewers eagerly looked forward to watch their favorite programmes and news bulletins of the Doordarshan, and its USP had been its credibility.

Now, one of the largest regional television networks under Prasar Bharati, the Doordarshan Kendra here is seeing a fall in its popularity.

The scenario with the DDK is complicated, allege some of the insiders who are not happy with the present state of affairs.

They say that despite the strength of a Rs 3.5 crore annual budget, the station does not air many creative programmes, especially under the news and current affairs wing of DDK. In the last financial year, about `60 lakh of the budgeted amount could not be utilised, they allege.

Currently, DDK Thiruvananthapuram airs three live news bulletins of 20 minutes duration, and three bulletins of five minutes duration, with headline news at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

However, not a single current affairs programme is being aired, while ‘Samvadam,’ a weekly live interactive programme, is aired by the programme section.

An interactive programme, ‘Behind the news,’ on the news of the day, was stopped even as it had “excellent ratings,” claimed a DDK official.

However, deputy director general and Thiruvananthapuram DDK station head, P.K. Subhash, disagreed. “Two programmes – ‘Samvadam’ and ‘Business Matters’ – are currently aired under the news and current affairs wing.

True, under TAM report, we are well behind the other news channels; still we consider ourselves being on the top level, based on the direct feedback we get from the viewers,” Subhash told DC.

The staff members, who do not want to be identified, allege that several prominent news items were ignored by DDK here, including CPM leader M.M. Moni’s controversial speech, which was aired even by BBC and the national media.

The stragglers said they brought this to the notice of the Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni.

To read original article  click here