From L-R: S. Sridhar, Rizwan Asad (Editor Nasheman), A. Surya Prakash, S. Shivprakash, K. Sadashiv Shenoy.
Bengaluru: Newly appointed Prasar Bharti Chairman A. Surya Prakash said the public broadcaster is autonomous, and the government has no control over it.
Speaking after being felicitated by the Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters’ Guild here, he said we must proceed in the direction to maintain autonomy and there was no question of going back on it.
Mr. Prakash reminiscenced his early days in journalism in Bengaluru and later in New Delhi before discussing the issues pertaining to Prasar Bharati.
“We have to professionalise in terms of quality. We can do it and we must attempt to do it,” he said responding to questions about Doordarshan and All India Radio.
On the question of private TV channels, he said most news channels and become “noise channels.”
“What you get these days is noise, there is no news; ….what you see in prime time band today in news channels, not just Hindi or English even regional channels is there is ‘maramari’ going on….this is not good for anybody, this is not good for viewers.”
“…so there is a great opportunity for us. I have started discussions with colleagues in DD News and I’m telling them that this opportunity which we must use. We must become credible news channel giving top class news…” he said.
Mr. Prakash said he has become Chairman of Prasar Bharati at a time which is very positive for Doordarshan.
When asked why Doordarshan (DD) had aired RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s annual Dussehra speech, he replied saying Bhagwat constitutes news, and that’s the reason news channels broadcasted it.
