Switch on any Indian news channel in the evening and you will see a familiar scene. A loud anchor, a dozen guests squeezed into tiny boxes on the screen, and a volley of questions thrown like arrows. The atmosphere feels charged, even dramatic. But once the shouting ends, viewers are left asking—where was the journalism in all this? Has our media reduced itself to the belief that asking questions is the only job of a journalist?
The truth is, Indian electronic media today thrives more on performance than on substance. Asking a question has become the beginning and the end of journalism. Rarely do we see patient investigation, careful research, or thoughtful storytelling. Instead, we get infotainment, where news is packaged like a stage play, and anchors act less like reporters and more like performers.
The Myth of Tough Questions
Media houses often defend themselves by saying they ask “tough questions.” But a closer look reveals who these questions are really aimed at. Instead of questioning those in power, many channels direct their anger at opposition leaders, activists, or even ordinary citizens. The government, meanwhile, is often treated with kid gloves.
Why is this so? The answer lies in economics. Television media in India survives largely on advertising. Government advertisements are a major source of revenue, and no channel wants to bite the hand that feeds it. This financial dependence shapes editorial choices. It explains why uncomfortable stories about unemployment, inflation, or farmers’ distress rarely get the same spotlight as prime-time shouting matches about minor controversies.
Infotainment Disguised as News
The Indian media’s obsession with drama is easy to see. Debates are designed for sound and fury, not depth. Anchors raise their voices, guests shout over each other, and hashtags scream across the screen. It creates the illusion of action, but very little truth is uncovered. Journalism becomes a circus, and the audience is treated like spectators rather than informed citizens.
In this setup, questioning is used as a tool of performance. An anchor may ask “Is India under threat from X?” without presenting any evidence, simply to stir emotions. Such questions are not meant to inform but to entertain. Journalism is replaced by theatre, and credibility slips further every day.
Journalism Without Answers
True journalism is about more than questions. It is about seeking answers, verifying facts, and giving the public a complete picture. But Indian television rarely invests in this process. Investigative journalism, which requires time, money, and independence, has almost disappeared from our screens.
Take an example: when farmers protested against new agricultural laws, most television debates did not focus on the details of the laws, their impact on livelihoods, or the negotiations with government. Instead, questions were framed in a way that painted protesters as villains or outsiders. The absence of ground reporting created a distorted narrative, far from reality.
Why Silence on the Government?
It is striking how often television media avoids direct criticism of those in power. Whether it is unemployment data, mishandling of disasters, or rising prices, the coverage is either muted or buried under less significant stories. This silence is not accidental. It reflects the larger problem of media houses being dependent on the government’s goodwill for survival.
As a result, the watchdog role of the press, which is central to democracy, has been replaced by a lapdog attitude. Channels often amplify government messaging instead of questioning it. In the process, journalism’s credibility suffers. Citizens begin to distrust the media, seeing it as an extension of politics rather than an independent voice.
Scope of Media
If journalism is to regain its meaning in India, it must move beyond asking questions for show. Newsrooms must invest in ground reporting, data analysis, and long-form investigation. Anchors must learn that volume does not equal truth. Media houses must find financial models that reduce dependence on government advertising, so that editorial freedom can be preserved.
At the same time, viewers too have a responsibility. By consuming sensational debates without demanding better journalism, audiences allow this infotainment culture to thrive. Citizens must reward serious reporting with their attention and reject channels that serve noise over news.
Final Take
So, is asking questions journalism? Not in the way it is practiced by much of Indian electronic media. What we see today is performance, not pursuit of truth. Journalism is about answers, evidence, and accountability. Until our media rediscovers this, it will remain trapped in its own spectacle, thriving on government favors while abandoning its duty to the people.
The lies of electronic media are clear: it pretends to challenge power while actually protecting it. And unless this cycle is broken, the fourth pillar of democracy will continue to crumble under the weight of its own hypocrisy.
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