From Scoop to Super Exclusive

exclusive [ik-skloo-siv]
- noun
A piece of news, or the reporting of a piece of news, obtained by a news organisation, along with the privilege of using it first.

scoop [skoop]
- noun
A news item, report, or story first revealed in one paper, magazine, newscast

Two words mean the same, but embody the thirty-year rift between journalism and the sensationalism called news today.

The third is what news channels are taking credit for these days.

Think ‘scoop’, think Watergate. Think ‘exclusive’, think mindless spy-cam operations, regular interviews and, of late, the watermark on screen: Times Now Exclusive, Sahara Exclusive, and, of course, Geo TV’s Super Exclusive on Pakistan’s match fixing scandal.

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein must be thinking what happened to news. But, today, who cares?

As long as people watch, as long as the money keeps flowing in, news editors are happy to dish out what they think the viewers want to see. Even duping them for that extra eyeball.

When in doubt, question mark.

No editor will want to admit someone else got the ‘scoop/exclusive’. Oneupmaship drives news channels today. If Channel A says ‘Exclusive: Blast in Bangalore’, Channel B says ‘Exclusive: Terrorist Hand Behind Blast?’

Speculation is news today.

The sad part is, we can’t do without news. And if the media continues on its journey to mediocrity, the viewer will too, for lack of options.

Media, especially television news, needs change. We owe it to the people.

UPDATE

angle [æŋ.ɡl]

- noun

An aspect, as of a problem, seen from a specific point of view

Seen on a prominent news channel today (June 13, 2012) — the 'Exclusive Angle'. In essence, the editors at said channel have taken credit for, wait for it, thinking!

Just when you thought Indian news could not get any worse.