The new Information and Broadcasting Minister must ensure that the Government doesn’t meddle with the media, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari in this wishlist for the soon-to-be-appointed boss of the media.

Pradyuman Maheshwari May 25, 2009 8:51 AM

Since the UPA Government wanted a friendly media, it didn’t push for regulation of news channels before the elections. But now that the Congress has emerged stronger, news channels must get their act together to ward off any fresh threat of controls, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari May 18, 2009 8:57 AM

Election results are still a week away, but there are clear winners of Election News 2009 on our news channels, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari, as he picks his #1s from among the national Hindi and English news channels.

Pradyuman Maheshwari May 11, 2009 7:54 AM

On World Press Freedom Day yesterday, more than issues concerning violent attacks or government interference, it’s a worry to see some private enterprises and individuals coercing media owners to buckle under, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari May 4, 2009 8:02 AM

Why was the media quiet about a business journalist named in last week’s SEBI order on a forged letter case… should the NBA get rid of the redressal body… why mainstream journalists continue to treat bloggers with disdain… some of the questions that have left Pradyuman Maheshwari wondering.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Apr 27, 2009 7:53 AM

Media leaders that take consumers for granted and don’t reinvent themselves are bound to take a beating like Star Plus did last week, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Apr 20, 2009 9:00 AM

Surprised that HT tied up with Google, hangs his head in shame when Jarnail flung a shoe at P Chidambaram, worried as India TV quits NBA… some of Pradyuman Maheshwari’s sentiments that were never updated as status messages on Facebook.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Apr 13, 2009 8:01 AM

Presenting the Mixed Media Goafies, a tongue-in-cheek honours list of some of the highlights of the just-concluded GoaFest 2009 from Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Apr 6, 2009 8:06 AM

It has happened again. A few results of the Creative Abby have been leaked and the reports have appeared in a prominent pink daily. The obvious attempt is to make sure that the Abby is disgraced and loses its sheen, says Pradyuman Maheshwari even as he suggests a few steps to curb this menace.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Apr 1, 2009 8:13 AM

9X finally finds a suitor, newspapers hike cover price, pitch fees become mandatory, unpublished work allowed to compete in Abby, channels fight carriage fees, DAVP hikes permanent, news to be aired on FM radio, Times shuts Medianet, Lowe sends entries for Abby and salaries back to 2009 levels… some of the prank news headlines Pradyuman Maheshwari wishes would happen.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 30, 2009 8:05 AM

Should profit-making companies like Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd trim workforce and cut salaries due to two bad quarters? Not many think it’s cool for an otherwise prosperous media to do so, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 23, 2009 8:14 AM

As per Hindu mythology, Holi marks the triumph of good over evil. Ironically, that’s when Indrani and Peter Mukerjea announced their exit from INX. The channel suffered from bad staff selection, monies being incorrectly spent or overspent, and a general disdain for good corporate practices, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 16, 2009 9:04 AM

I have never watched so much television as I did last week. A quick view on events of the last week – Real’s ‘fair’ launch, the announcement of the general elections; the Lahore terror strike; the Colors-Star Plus race for the No. 1 GEC spot; and staff exits in the media – it was a ‘happening’ week indeed.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 9, 2009 8:17 AM

When Colors CEO Rajesh Kamat and Programming Head Ashwini Yardi revealed their new programming line-up to the media last month, they were less than 50 GRPs away from Star Plus. So, when I got the news that it had notched just 0.9 points lesser than Star Plus, I was disappointed, says Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 5, 2009 7:59 AM

The Government was on overdrive last week with the I&B Minister and/or the Regulator making announcements on each day, notes Pradyuman Maheshwari. With the Election Commission due to announce poll dates any day, the ministers and the bureaucracy are on an overdrive to let key decisions be passed.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Mar 2, 2009 6:52 AM

She joined All India Radio as a permanent employee in 1946 and was among the country’s best known film and television critics. Pradyuman Maheshwari pays tribute to Amita Malik, the First Lady of media writing in India. She passed away last Friday at age 87.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Feb 23, 2009 6:47 AM

Layoffs and salary cuts may be the only way media companies can survive, but owners and top bosses must affect them with care, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari

Pradyuman Maheshwari Feb 16, 2009 7:08 AM

The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting has promised the print media a stimulus to beat the slowdown. But before offering tax payer monies by way of sops, the Government must impose a pre-condition, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Feb 9, 2009 6:52 AM

There is much hate against Barkha Dutt and NDTV for getting a blogger to apologise and delete a disparaging post. But should Barkha Dutt be taken off air? Of course not, says Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Feb 2, 2009 6:48 AM

It is incorrect to question the Indian media’s patriotism given the coverage of the Mumbai siege by news channels, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari.

Pradyuman Maheshwari Jan 26, 2009 7:16 AM