Storm clouds gather in DD

[icernet-admin at listserv.cddc.vt.edu]

The BJP government, long accused of trying to saffronise the state-run
media, is facing a revolt on the issue in Doordarshan on election-eve. The
revolt stems from a spate of circulars, which, the editors allege, have come
at the behest of the information and broadcasting ministry, leaving them
powerless over news content and shifting control to consulting editor Deepak
Chaurasia, brought in from Aaj Tak to pep up the channel. Chaurasia is
considered close to top BJP leaders. Chaurasia and his team of contract
anchors-cum-newsmen have been given total control over news assignments,
news gathering, phone-ins, live inputs, visuals and news packaging and
content, the editors said. Earlier, Chaurasia's team was responsible for
anchoring news and reporting it. But news content remained in the hands of
the IIS editors. Information Service editors, by an order dated January 13
and bearing memo number DDN/NR/04, will now be responsible for "scripting
news bulletin and packaged news stories based on material provided", which
effectively reduces them into copywriters.

Source:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040122/asp/nation/story_2812537.asp