Once upon a time, TV debates were intellectual arenas where ideas clashed, not fists or egos. Fast forward to today, and these “debates” resemble verbal demolition derbies—complete with mudslinging, screaming matches, and the occasional lunge across the table. Regional and national channels alike now compete not for journalistic integrity but for who can deliver the most sensational slugfest.
My skepticism solidified after watching a debate on Times Now over the Sambal issue. The BJP and AIMIM panelists weren’t just arguing—they were practically shouting over each other, making the entire discussion unbearable. Debates like these, especially on sensitive issues, seem designed to inflame tensions rather than inform. Such spectacles do more harm than good, adding fuel to the fire on divisive topics and potentially aggravating societal discord.
Even the supposedly polished panels on Times Now aren’t immune. During one debate, journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh—formerly with the anarchist Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—nearly morphed into a human wrecking ball, targeting Dr. Anand Ranganathan, a razor-sharp researcher who usually keeps his facts straight. The clash was as undignified as it was avoidable. Ironically, moments like these reveal how fractured the media landscape has become—driven less by facts and more by envy and power plays.
And then there’s Arnab Goswami, the self-anointed king of prime time. Love him or hate him, he’s mastered the art of “debates” that feel more like gladiator battles. His relentless interruptions, cacophonous cross-talk, and refusal to let anyone finish a sentence are less about informing the audience and more about testing their patience. Is it any wonder his channel’s nicknamed the “Noisiest TV Network”?
But Arnab isn’t alone in dragging discourse into the gutter. Across channels, anchors seem to relish creating chaos rather than curating meaningful dialogue. Where pioneers like Shashi Kumar of Doordarshan or Prannoy Roy of NDTV once upheld standards of civility, today’s debates resemble reality TV—only without the charm.
The format, once meant to educate viewers on complex issues, has devolved into a circus act. Political panelists, especially those critical of the ruling BJP and Narendra Modi, have turned debates into battlegrounds for personal vendettas. Anchors, instead of mediating, often stoke the flames. The result? A spectacle so insufferable that viewers are better off flipping to a dance competition or singing reality show.
The real tragedy isn’t just the noise but the loss of purpose. TV debates were supposed to enlighten, not enrage. Yet, instead of addressing this nosedive, media owners remain fixated on TRPs. Maybe it’s time for an intervention—or even a ban—on these prime-time disasters before they hemorrhage whatever credibility remains.
Until then, I, like many weary viewers, will find peace elsewhere. The debates can carry on shouting into the void, but their audiences won’t stick around to listen.
