MPs slam media's Anna 'obsession'

Role of television channels came in for sharp criticism in Parliament today with members accusing them of giving too much coverage to Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption. HT reports.

The coverage of Anna Hazare's fast at Ramlila Maidan by TV channels came in for scathing criticism by members in Parliament.

TV channels have been airing non-stop coverage of the 74-year-old's crusade against corruption ever since his fast began on August 16.

With no news other than the developments surrounding Anna's fast garnering maximum space on TV channels even as a devastating flood had inundated huge tracts in eastern India especially in Assam, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said in the Lok Sabha: "Is dibbe se bahut dikkat hai" (This box is creating a lot of trouble)," referring to the TV.

The 24-hour news channels, he said," are not allowing us to sleep."

Amid frequent applause from all sections of the House, Yadav said, "The country is not run by discussions on television channels, but by debates in Parliament". Yadav also attacked Congress MPs for regularly visiting TV studios and participating in discussions while subjecting themselves to scrutiny by "Bengali babu moshai", referring to an anchor in a leading TV news channel.

BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said TV channels do a lot to improve their TRP ratings while Rewati Raman Singh (SP) demanded electronic and print media be brought under Lokpal ambit.

DMK member TKS Elangovan said media had turned the crusade against corruption into a fight against Parliament and Constitution.

(With Agency inputs)