TV Channels And Shallow Debates

Muslim Murasu, December 2012

Tamilians have developed a taste for thoughts, debates and discussions. Domination of heavyweight politicians is on the wane in Tamilnadu. Media owners have made a calculated rush to take advantage of the situation.
The common narrative preached now is that recently TV channels are transforming the lives of the people. They have played no part to fight corruption, rapes, untouchability, caste based violence, black money or inflation. Only arguments and counter arguments are staged.
Debates are staged as an act in the never ending show of entertainment. It is a ploy to retain elites, selfish families and shallow pundits. There is no interest showed towards development of the state or nation. Each debate is brought to an end with the promise that they will come with a new debate the next day.
Panelists are allowed to do superficial examination of the issues. They should not expose their true identities. Legal arm may come into action. Political strongmen and brokers are watching. Be careful!
Only one condition, show should be warm and tantalizing. One panelist can lunge on another. They can sing their slogans. It is not wrong. All means can be employed to pass the scheduled time. Viewers can be taken for granted and assumed to be gullible. It is an art. They should appear like disclosing some new information. But it should only be appearance. It should look like they are discussing. But there should not be any analysis per se. Only word games are played. Each player takes a point and the game should end in draw. They shall spend their full efforts in producing shallow intellectuals groomed for debates. Government shall be readily insulted. But rulers should not feel hurt. Escape artists are welcome in such TV debates. We remind you again! Discuss the problem, but problem should remain unsolved. Neither ruling party nor opposition should feel hurt. Come, a new problem is ready! Poke your noses, exhibit your skills!