Times change

IN Media Watch Briefs | 01/01/1900

Times change
For scribes inspired by the crusading zeal of the Indian Express in the early 80s, it was a defining moment. Arun Shourie, Union Minister for Disinvestment, was the chief guest at Business Standard`s annual awards for excellence. In his acceptance speech for being awarded entrepreneur of the year, Mukesh Ambani, chairman, Reliance Industries verbally genuflected before Shourie --- practically saying he was the best thing that has happened to this current government. Although on TV Shourie looked a tad uncomfortable the next morning Business Standard`s photo-op of the two dripped bonhomie. A far cry from the days when the Indian Express, under Shourie, had campaigned fiercely against Dhirubhai Ambani and Reliance`s astounding ability to manipulate the system.

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Amazon resisting voluntary censorship

The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.

Let the games begin

Clearly, the run to the 2019 elections is on. A journalist received a call from someone saying they were from Aajtak channel and were conducting a survey, asking whom she was going to vote for in 2019. On being told that her vote was secret, the caller assumed she wasn't going to vote for 'Modiji'. The caller, a woman, also didn't identify herself. A month or two earlier the same journalist received a call, this time from a man, asking if she was going to vote for the BSP.