The Hindu Business Line : Breaking news

On December 26, 2004, sometime around 8.30 a.m. the first breaking news about an earthquake in Indonesia appeared across the screens of news channels. Within minutes the news unfolded before viewers — tsunami waves triggered by a powerful earthquake in the Indian Ocean claimed thousands of lives across countries.

The news channels beamed scenes of devastation much later, as reporters and camera crew fanned out to these areas. The extent of damage in Banda Aceh in Indonesia, the epicenter of the disaster, became known only a couple of days later.

Media organisations, particularly news channels relying on images, were completely overwhelmed not only by the enormity of the tragedy, loss of lives and livelihood, but also in their attempts to reach the scene of destruction. Unlike any previous disasters, including the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Iraq War, tsunami waves had their deathly impact as far away as Somalia and Kenya.

How does a media organisation cope with such coverage? CNN's Richard Quest hosted a discussion with top media chiefs, including one from the rival BBC.

National Geographic and Discovery Channel did their bit, educating viewers about earthquakes and tsunami waves. They repeated old programmes that showed how tsunami waves can be triggered by an undersea earthquake, an underwater landslide, an underwater volcano or a meteorite fall.

Do Indian news channels have the wherewithal to continue coverage of such a disaster for weeks to come? Hindered by equipment shortage amidst commercial considerations and the need to remain competitive, domestic news channels are likely to slacken their coverage of this story.

Stimulant cuppa

Call it refreshing or a tad controversial, the chat show Koffee with Karan on Star World, does show up an actor's true self to a great extent. So, if Abhishek Bachchan reveals a more honest and endearing side to him, the reverse can be said of Amitabh Bachchan. Preity Zinta does not let a word in edgeways during the hour-long conversation, while Saif Ali Khan clearly looks weathered down, having emerged from a personal crisis even as his career graph seems to be heading northward. Friends Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor seem like chalk and cheese. And co-stars Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan display the human side to a superstar.

Karan Johar carries through the one-hour show with ease, interspersing the `controversial' bits with witty lines and contentious questions. A successful filmmaker himself, he reveals his penchant for gossipy chitchat.

Reality bites

If some chat shows bring a smile on the viewer's face, reality shows such as Harsha Ki Khoj, the search for a commentator on ESPN Star Sports, or the popular Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television have their disappointing moments. Disappointing not only because the viewers' favourite did not make it but also because television has its cruel moments, as when it zooms in on the emotions of a losing participant. Last week, when Rahul Saxena was voted out of Indian Idol, a talent-hunt show, the studio audience, the judges and even the hosts cried for him. In the Harsha show, many a losing participant left teary-eyed.

Interactive television is opening up a world of opportunity for those desiring to make it big in the glitz and glamour of showbiz. But it also results in heartaches not only for participants but also the viewer back home.

Reality programming drives up ratings for the broadcaster, but its voyeuristic camera depicting sorrow, anger or disappointment on the faces of participants can be a dampener.

Spurred by the success of Indian Idol, a trademark of Fremantle Media and 19 Television, Sony is due to launch another reality talent programme, Dance Dance.

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