Why I.N.D.I.A. Alliance’s Boycott of TV Journalists is Anti-Democratic and Disrespectful to the Press

The India Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties in India, has recently announced that it will boycott the shows of 14 TV news anchors from nine channels, accusing them of spreading hate and being biased towards the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The decision has sparked a debate on the role of media in public accountability and democracy, with the BJP and some journalists condemning it as an attack on press freedom and free speech, while the India Alliance and some civil society groups defending it as a legitimate response to the media’s failure to uphold journalistic ethics and standards.

In this essay, I will argue that boycotting TV journalists by India Alliance is anti-democratic and violates the notions of public accountability and respect for the press. I will first define what public accountability and respect for the press mean, and why they are important for democracy. I will then explain how boycotting TV journalists undermines these values, by silencing dissenting voices, weakening the media’s watchdog role, and eroding public trust in the media. I will also address some counterarguments that justify the boycott as a form of protest or self-regulation. I will conclude by suggesting some alternative ways for the India Alliance to engage with the media and hold them accountable.

Public Accountability and Respect for the Press

Public accountability is the principle that public officials and institutions are answerable to the people for their actions and performance, and that they can be held responsible for any misconduct or failure . Respect for the press is the recognition that the media have a vital role in ensuring public accountability, by providing information, analysis, criticism, and debate on matters of public interest, and by exposing corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations .

Public accountability and respect for the press are essential for democracy, because they enable citizens to participate in governance, to exercise their rights and freedoms, to express their opinions and preferences, to monitor and influence public policies and decisions, and to demand transparency and accountability from their representatives . Without public accountability and respect for the press, democracy would be reduced to a mere formality, where elections are held but citizens have no voice or choice, where power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites who act with impunity, where information is manipulated or suppressed, and where dissent is stifled or punished.

How Boycotting TV Journalists Undermines Public Accountability and Respect for the Press

Boycotting TV journalists by India Alliance is anti-democratic and violates the notions of public accountability and respect for the press, for several reasons.

First, boycotting TV journalists silences dissenting voices. By refusing to appear on the shows of certain anchors, the India Alliance deprives them of an opportunity to challenge their views, to present their perspectives, to defend their policies and actions, and to respond to their criticisms. This creates a one-sided narrative, while marginalizing or ignoring the opposition and its supporters. This also denies the viewers of a chance to hear different opinions, to compare different arguments, to evaluate different evidence, and to form their own judgments. This undermines the diversity and pluralism that are essential for a healthy democracy .

Second, boycotting TV journalists weakens the media’s watchdog role. By withdrawing from the media arena, the India Alliance reduces the pressure on the BJP and its affiliates to be accountable for their actions and performance. This allows them to escape scrutiny, to evade responsibility, to avoid criticism, and to conceal wrongdoing. This undermines the checks and balances that are necessary for a functioning democracy .

Third, boycotting TV journalists erodes public trust in the media. By labeling certain anchors as hate-mongers or BJP agents, the India Alliance casts doubt on their credibility, integrity, professionalism, and independence. This damages their reputation, their legitimacy, and their authority. This also affects the public perception of the media as a whole, as people may become skeptical, cynical, or indifferent towards all media outlets, regardless of their quality or orientation. This undermines the confidence and support that are crucial for a vibrant democracy .

Counterarguments

Some may argue that boycotting TV journalists by India Alliance is not anti-democratic or disrespectful to the press, but rather a form of protest or self-regulation.

One argument is that boycotting TV journalists is a form of protest against the media’s bias, misinformation, sensationalism, and propaganda. By shunning certain anchors, the India Alliance is expressing its dissatisfaction and discontent with the media’s performance and conduct, and demanding better journalism and more balance and fairness in the media coverage of the political issues and actors .

Another argument is that boycotting TV journalists is a form of self-regulation by the media. By isolating certain anchors, the India Alliance is putting pressure on them and their employers to improve their standards and ethics, and to adhere to the principles and values of journalism. Some argue that by exposing certain anchors, the India Alliance is also raising awareness among the public and the media fraternity about the problems and challenges facing the media industry, and encouraging them to take action to address them .

Response

However, these arguments are not convincing, for several reasons.

First, boycotting TV journalists is not an effective or appropriate form of protest against the media’s bias or misinformation. Rather than engaging with the media and challenging their claims and narratives, the India Alliance is avoiding them and dismissing them. This does not change or improve the media’s behavior or performance, but rather reinforces or worsens it. This also does not inform or educate the public or the media about the issues or the facts, but rather confuses or misleads them. A better form of protest would be to participate in the media and present their views and evidence, to expose the media’s errors and lies, to counter the media’s propaganda and agenda, and to mobilize the public and the media to demand better journalism and more balance and fairness .

Second, boycotting TV journalists is not a legitimate or constructive form of self-regulation by the media. Rather than holding the media accountable and respectful, the India Alliance is undermining their accountability and respect. This does not enhance or restore the media’s standards and ethics, but rather damages or destroys them. This also does not increase or maintain the public’s trust and support for the media, but rather decreases or erodes them. A better form of self-regulation would be to cooperate with the media and provide them with feedback and guidance, to monitor the media’s compliance and adherence to the principles and values of journalism, to reward the media’s excellence and innovation, and to sanction the media’s misconduct and failure .

Conclusion

In conclusion, boycotting TV journalists by India Alliance is anti-democratic and violates the notions of public accountability and respect for the press. It silences dissenting voices, weakens the media’s watchdog role, and erodes public trust in the media. It is not an effective or appropriate form of protest against the media’s bias or misinformation, nor a legitimate or constructive form of self-regulation by the media.

Instead of boycotting TV journalists, the India Alliance should engage with them and hold them accountable and respectful. It should participate in the media and present its views and evidence, challenge their claims and narratives, expose their errors and bias, counter their narrative, mobilize the public and the media to demand better journalism and more balance and fairness, cooperate with the media and provide them with feedback and guidance, monitor their compliance and adherence to the principles and values of journalism, reward their excellence and innovation, sanction their misconduct and failure.

By doing so, the India Alliance would not only defend its own interests and rights, but also promote the values and ideals of democracy, public accountability, and respect for the press.