Amit Shah warns against media trials and toxic news

In the backdrop of the raging debate that BestMediaInfo.com started last month over toxic content being aired on news television, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has warned news channels against holding media trials.

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Asked his views about the media’s conduct during the Sushant Singh Rajput case, Shah said, “I believe there shouldn't be media trials. Yes, the media has the right to speak against any wrongs and apathy in the society, but fuelling things only for the sake of TRP isn’t right.”

Shah said in an interview with Rahul Joshi, Managing Director and Group Editor-in-Chief, News18 Network, that the media should report facts about an incident and said practices such as chasing cars for news must be avoided as these things might also affect the investigation. 

The Union Minister's comments come at a time when BestMediaInfo.com has reported how top advertisers such as Dollar Industries would shift their advertising monies from news channels airing toxic content.

In the interview, he was asked about the Tanishq ad row, to which he replied that over-activism should be avoided. The ad showing an inter-faith marriage was pulled off air by the jewellery brand after a row on social media.

“The social harmony of the country can’t be broken by such small incidents. I believe there shouldn’t be any form of over-activism. There have been many attempts in the past by the British and later by the Congress but it will never break,” he said. 

Earlier, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had also warned news channels against running toxic content for the sake of ratings and advised them not to go after TRP journalism.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com