A private news channel focuses more on ‘breaking news’ celebrity, scandals and entertainment rather than serious economic debates because such contents attracts more viewers and advertisers. This trend in modern media is often criticised as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Commercialisation of media
Option (1) Globalisation of media — Incorrect. Globalisation of the media means national media markets giving way to a fluid global market, with foreign channels and global networks entering a country. The channel in the question is criticised for what it chooses to show in order to earn more, not for crossing national borders.
Option (2) Public Service Broadcasting — Incorrect. Public broadcasting, such as the BBC in the United Kingdom or National Public Radio in the USA, serves the public with information and debate rather than chasing advertisers. It is the opposite of the trend described, where content is picked for viewers and advertisers.
Option (3) Commercialisation of media — Correct. When programmes become commercialised and carry the advertisements of sponsors, the content shifts to whatever draws the audience advertisers want: entertainment programmes grow, and advertisers line up to buy airtime, as when the commercialisation of Doordarshan began. A channel that fills its time with breaking news, celebrities and scandal raises the question whether serious political and economic issues are neglected.
Option (4) Localisation of media — Incorrect. Localisation means adapting content to a local language or region, as STAR Plus did when it began Hindi programming, or as Indian language newspapers do with local news and district editions. The case says nothing about language or region; it is about selling content to advertisers.
NCERT (2025-26): “Television … Television has fostered public debate and is expanding its reach every passing year. This brings us to the question whether serious political and economic issues are neglected. There is a growing number of news channels in Hindi and English, a large number of regional channels and an equally large number of reality shows, talk shows, Bollywood shows, family soaps, interactive shows, game shows and comedy shows. Entertainment television has produced a new cadre of superstars who have become familiar household names, and their private life, rivalry on sets feed the gossip columns of popular magazines and newspapers. Reality shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati or Indian Idol or Bigg Boss have become increasingly popular.…”
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