Media houses compelled to air entertainment shows to boost TRPs: Minister Pijush Hazarika

Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika highlighted the growing pressure on media houses to prioritize entertainment content over more informative programming in order to maintain high Television Rating Points (TRPs). 

Addressing the issue, Hazarika emphasized that the competitive nature of the media industry is pushing outlets to cater to mass entertainment at the Media Conclave of the Sixth Schedule Council of Assam held at the Planetarium Auditorium in Kokrajhar on January 30. 

The event was organized by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

In the first session journalists from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) discussed various issues including safety and security the influence of social media journalism and healthcare services.

The second session commenced with a welcome speech by BTC's Principal Secretary Akashdeep. 

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A written goodwill message from Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma was also read during the event. Addressing the gathering Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika emphasized “A strong democracy is possible only if journalists are strong.” He urged media professionals to uphold truth and integrity in their reporting. Reflecting on changes in the media landscape he remarked, “There was a time when newspapers had a circulation of one lakh, now some have dropped to 25,000–30,000. TV channel TRPs have fallen from ten to just two and a half. We need to analyze the reasons behind this decline.” He also shared his views on the role of certain digital news portals.

The session was attended by key dignitaries including BTC's Executive Member for Public Relations Dr. Nilut Swargiary, Executive Members Arup Kumar Dey and Ukil Mushahary, MLA Jiran Basumatary, Prag News Editor-in-Chief Prasanta Rajguru, Gauhati University’s Head of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department Chandan Kumar Goswami, and Dainik Purvoday Editor Ravi Shankar Ravi.

In the third session, Prag News Editor-in-Chief Prasanta Rajguru delivered an insightful speech on development-oriented journalism. He also provided an overview of the history of the Sixth Schedule and highlighted the challenges faced by print media in the post-COVID-19 era. Dainik Purvoday Editor Ravi Shankar Ravi discussed the relationship between the government and the media, while Gauhati University’s Chandan Kumar Goswami elaborated on media laws and guidelines, also sharing his thoughts on word choice in news writing.

The day-long Media Conclave witnessed the participation of over 200 journalists from BTR, Dima Hasao, and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Councils.