Tricks of trade: How Hindi TV news anchors are delegitimising citizenship law protests

'How has Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed popular, amid all that has happened in the country for the past five years? From demonetisation and job losses to a failing economy and an agrarian crisis — a large section of the Hindi TV media has played an immense role in watching out for the government. Anchors work as cogs of a well-oiled PR machinery whose sole aim is to praise the leader, while actively delegitimising any criticism that comes his way.

Back in 2016, when the government was struggling to justify demonetisation, remember how a leading news anchor took pains to “explain” a certain “nanochip” in the new currency note and its role in curbing black money? Now, with the country-wide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a large section of TV media is working around the clock to come to the government’s defence. Protesters are on the streets in unprecedented numbers. From Delhi to Purnia, Mumbai to Bengaluru, the images show thousands speaking up against the Act...'

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