Social Media Influence Pales Before The Intrusive Portrayal By TV Channels

The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, once the union education minister, stemmed from the relentless pressure exerted by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protestors, numbering 2 million members and garnering 10 million Instagram followers. Despite the vast reach of social media, its influence is often overstated. Likes and shares are often superficial, with users mindlessly endorsing content without engaging with the substance.

In stark contrast, television news channels hold an unyielding, 12-hour presence in various settings, from drawing rooms to airport lounges, captivating audiences with emotionally charged and riveting stories. These channels can amplify their impact by a factor of five, as viewers often have multiple televisions on at any given time.

Television viewers, often dismissed as couch potatoes, are seen as a captive audience by news channels, ready to engage with any story that hits the airwaves. The media's proclivity to sensationalize and polarize is well-documented, with the television channels playing a significant role in catapulting figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Abhijit Dipke to national prominence.

The proximity of news to the nation's capital, Delhi, further bolsters their coverage, while foreign outlets, such as those in Thailand, often overlook events transpiring in Myanmar. Social media remains a potent force, but its ability to sway public opinion pales in comparison to the comprehensive and potent coverage offered by television channels.

The Narendra Modi government's decision to replace Pradhan underscores the power of television's unwavering focus and dramatic storytelling, as opposed to the fleeting nature of social media posts.