THE DUAL BROADCASTING POLICY OF BBC

The discussion on the documentary "India's Daughter", made by the British filmmaker Leslee Udwin is going on. I've no problem with its broadcasting on BBC or any channel, but I've my reservations on the way BBC sells the story. Once Peter Horrocks, the Director, BBC World Service came to IIMC, New Delhi to deliver a lecture. In the interaction session, with all humility I disagreed with him at certain points and commented :

Undoubtedly BBC is a smart storyteller. But it's not the Gospel truth. It's the quality and reputation of BBC that it can make any news interesting by way of telling it. Unfortunately, "today those are not the dominant storytellers who have really something to tell, but conglomerate of global media who have something to sell". BBC disseminates information as amusement. Be it the Babri demolition case, be it the tragic Bhagalpur riot, be it flood of Bihar or be it drought of Rajsthan, in every case BBC has played its role more as the projector of the worst of the east and simultaneously indirectly it has been projecting the best of the west. Whenever it comes to the issue of kashmir, BBC reports on and on, but when it comes to the issue of dispute of Ireland, it simply closes its eyes. Isn't this the hybridised broadcasting policy of BBC ? It does not think it proper to bother about the uses and gratification of us audience of developing countries.

It doesn't delve deep into our culture and its background. That's why the well-known journalist like Mark Tully once said in 90's which was broadcast, "Muharram is celebrated in India." How can one celebrate Muharram while it is to be mourned ? So, it's obvious to what extent BBC takes the audience of eastern countries for granted. Responding to the repeatedly stressed point by Mr. Horrocks that BBC helps its audience to shape world view, I said, "Sorry, Sir ! If it's world view or in broader term weltanschauung, it suits you, not us". And the most pinching thing is that it's BBC which is spreading information imperialism on the horizon of world media in very subtle way. This is the main reason that despite the fact that the way BBC functions, I like it, I appreciate it, I admire it, I love it; sometimes I find very difficult to trust it.

After listening to me, Mr. Horrocks defended BBC very smartly and said,"We are also human beings. Error is natural. But we'll try our best to improve our standard and select news keeping Indian audience in mind. I'm very happy that you listen to our broadcasting so carefully."

Then in a personal conversation with him, Mr. Horrocks said to me,"Friend, you're very critical of BBC." I replied, "Sir, I am not against BBC. The reality is that even the illiterate people in the villages of India tune to BBC and they want to trust it. So I just want the credibility of BBC to be maintained." He smiled, patted me and gave me his visiting card.

So, all I want to say is that BBC should check its dual policy and function impartially.