Godi-media

Godi Media (Hindi pronunciation: [ɡoːdiː]; lit. 'media sitting on lap'; idiomatic equivalent: 'lapdog media') is a pejorative term coined and popularized by NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar[1][2][3][4] that has gained wide popularity at the time of the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, and the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest.[5] [6][7][8] According to Ravish Kumar, the term refers to sensationalist Indian print and TV news media which support the Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance.[9][10][11]

Detractors of Godi-media allege that instead of practicing honest journalism, it traffics in motivated fake news and inflammatory stories, often untrue, that supports the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party led Central and State Governments, and corporate houses owning the media.[10][12][13][14] TV and News channels that have been called Godi media include Zee News, Times Now, Republic Bharat, Republic TV, India Today, Aaj tak, ABP News, Sudarshan News, CNN-News18, India TV.[9][11][13][15][16][17][18] Shakuntala Banaji, a media professor at the London School of Economics, commenting on the state of media in India has noted that “[i]n the past six years, the Indian media has deteriorated,” and that “[t]here is no semblance of truth or responsibility left in the vast majority of media reports.”[14]

Most of the debates on these news channels are often related with religions, Temples, Mosques or either promotion of Bharatiya Janta Party or demonizing opposition. One of the news network republic media held over 300+ debates on their channels regarding death of bollywood actor Shushant Singh Rajput while doing zero debates on farmers, unemployment, falling state of economy etc. The people have been manipulated such that they vote for BJP. While the opposition has been sidelined and targeted for every act.

Lapdog Theory of Journalism

Although the term Godi-Media seems to have emerged organically among the Indian public as a critique of the media environment within India, especially the media's abdication of it's role as a channel for ensuring accountability, the term shares many characteristics with the Lapdog Theory of Journalism. According to the Lapdog Theory of Journalism, Lapdog-Media, or what is known as Godi-Media within India, is “a conduit for the agenda of the society's elites," which supports,  perpetuates, and exploits social inequalities for profit.[19] Lapdog Media is characterized by the news media's “total submission to authority”, it's lack of independent power, and it's reliance “upon government, corporate and elite sources for both information and economic support.”[19] According to this theory, the Lapdog-Media's role in conflict is the ‘[d]efence of the powerful against the intruder.’ Additionally, Lapdog-Media journalists “show neither understanding nor interest in the opinions, attitudes and information requirements of any other group other than those of society's elite establishment” and as a result, “they appear to act as their trained pooch.” [19]

See also

References
  1. ""Truth Essential To Democracy": Ravish Kumar Receives Magsaysay Award". NDTV. September 9, 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  2. "At Farmers' Protest, Field Reporters of 'Godi Media' Channels Face the Heat". The Wire. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  3. Ayyub, Rana. "Opinion | Journalism is under attack in India. So is the truth". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  4. "Magsaysay award winner Ravish Kumar's journalism is fearless, doesn't monetise hate by peddling a communal agenda". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. Bajpai, Punya Prasun. "MEDIA DOWNFALL :मीडिया हिम्मत तो दिखाये मोदी सत्ता नतमस्तक हो जायेगी". New Delhi, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. "Godi Media Meaning, Stands For, Anchors List, Channels'". Trend Punjabi. September 9, 2020.
  7. Newslaundry. "Farmers versus 'Godi Media.'". Newslaundry Vol. TV Newsance Episode 112, 2020.
  8. Priyadarshini, Anna (December 2, 2020). "Farmers Are Angry with 'Godi Media' for Demonising Them. TV Channels Double Down". Newslaundry.
  9. Kumar, Ravish (December 14, 2020). "Exposed Godi Media". NDTV, 2020.
  10. Philipose, Pamela (December 5, 2020). "Backstory: Farmers' Protest and Callousness – as the Media Sows, So Will They Reap". The Wire. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  11. Jumle, Vihang,co-author Christophe Jaffrelot (December 15, 2020). "A Study of 1,779 Republic TV Debates Reveals How the Channel Champions Narendra Modi". The Caravan. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  12. Quraishi, Humra (August 27, 2020). "Godi Media and Govt Should Apologise for Spreading False Ideas about Tablighi Jamaat and COVID-19". National Herald, sec. Opinion.
  13. Singh, Prabhjit (November 30, 2020). "Farmers at Kundli Upset over Media Misrepresentation, Accusations; Confront 'Godi Media". The Caravan.
  14. Goel, Vindu, Jeffrey Gettleman, and Saumya Khandelwal. (April 2, 2020). "Under Modi, India's Press Is Not So Free Anymore". New York Times (Online). Retrieved January 8, 2021.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. Singh, Prabhjit. "Farmers at Kundli upset over media misrepresentation, accusations; confront "godi media"". The Caravan. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  16. India Today (October 9, 2020). "Witness Account Exposes Republic TV Lies On TRP Scam". India Today, New Delhi. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  17. Kisan Ekta Morcha (December 28, 2020). "How Zee Media Is Manipulating the Farmer's Issues | Hear from Gujarat's Farmer, 2020". Kisan Ekta Morcha. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. Desk, Caravan. "Why India's 'Godi Media' Spreads Hatred and Fake News". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  19. Franklin, B., Hamer; Hanna, M; Kinsey, M; Richardson, J. E. (2005). Lapdog theory of journalism. In Key concepts in journalism studies. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications Ltd. pp. 97, 130–31.
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