Television Coverage Of Eathquake: Sharing The
Viewers Perspective
Study Authored By
GUJARAT VIEWERS¿
FORUM
Minal Hazarika
Jahnvi Vyas
Ranchod Bhai
Sayra Khan
DELHI VIEWERS¿ FORUM
Estelle Desai
Madhu Prasad
CENTRE FOR ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH
Meeta Parti, Akhila Sivadas
One major objective of this study was
to ascertain how viewers perceived the role of television media. Do they feel
more confident that television can play a useful role in natural disasters? Did
they at any point of time feel that media ethics were being compromised with
and channels got caught in their own competitive battle and in this cross-fire
the viewer mattered less and the specific coverage mattered more?
Background
The earthquake of 26th January devastated many parts of
Gujarat. People all over India were united by their concern for those who
suffered the impact of the quake. At this time, everybody was glued to their TV
sets wanting to know about all that had happened. People outside Gujarat felt
closer to the tragedy through TV images and reports in the print media. But for
the people of Gujarat perhaps it was the only source to know what was
happening. Therefore, Ahmedabad Viewers¿ Forum conducted this audience feedback
study to ascertain viewer response on the coverage of earthquake by television.
Objectives
This Audience Feedback study focussed on three objectives.
Firstly, we sought an assessment of the quality of
coverage. Besides rating the coverage as good, not consistently good and
disappointing we also sought an explanation as to why a particular rating was
given. In the same category of questions, we also tried to assess whether the
coverage was sensitive to the victims, realistic, balanced and finally honest
and impartial.
The second objective was to gauge the impact of
the coverage on the viewers. Besides assessing the impact on their anxiety
level we also made an effort to examine whether any positive effects also
emerged. Did it strengthen their coping abilities, were help-lines useful and
did it generate the sense of hope that even a disaster of such magnitude can be
overcome with the right kind of collective will and determination?
The third was to ascertain how viewers perceived the role of television media. Do they feel more confident that television can play a useful role in natural disasters? Did they at any point of time feel that media ethics were being compromised with and channels got caught in their own competitive battle and in this cross-fire the viewer mattered less and the specific coverage mattered more?