Vikaspuri vs Dadri

IN Media Watch Briefs | 28/03/2016

Did social media communalise and mainstream media self-censor the lynching of a Delhi dentist last week? The police actually had to list the religion-wise break-up of the mob that did the lynching to counter what they said was social media disinformation. "Out of 9 accused persons, 5 are Hindu…” an Additional DCP, Police wrote. But in Pioneer Swapan Dasgupta suggested there could be a communal angle, and alleged self-censorship by some media. He wrote,”a public discussion on the unfortunate lynching in Vikaspuri is as important as the outrage over the beef-related murder in Dadri. There is no place for either denial or double-standards.”

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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.