POSITION AND RESOLUTION PAPERS

FOR WORLD TALK

A ZEE TELEFILMS Ltd. APPROACH

(FOR AURA, 2010)

SUBMITTED BY

TEAM PANCHATATVA

(B.Tech. (ECE 2007-11),ASET)

TEAM MEMBERS

SHUBHASHISH BHARADWAJ

SONALI SHARMA

SHRUTI KASAT

SOUMIYA MOHAN
 SHOBHIT KALRA

POSITION PAPERS

1. FREE CULTURE

Freedom always brings along with itself certain responsibilities and restrictions. Hence the
interpretation that free culture means complete independence in actions and thoughts is
preposterous. Specially in a multi linguistic and multi cultural society like ours, the liberty of
practicing free culture without the considering the well being of those around us, can lead to
disastrous consequences in the long time.

Zee Telefilms, with its plethora of 22 channels illustrates the very fact that despite the variety in
its content and themes, a common ideology guides them which is to provide healthy
entertainment to our viewers and safeguard the many facets of our culture. Since the launch of its
flagship television channel Zee TV, in the year 1992 the company has transformed itself into an
integrated media conglomerate with operations spanning the entire media spectrum, including
television programming, satellite broadcasting, cable distribution, production and distribution of
films, music publishing, long distance education and creation of animation software.

• Zee Telefilms was the pioneer in the promotion of India’s first of its kind Gameshows
and Reality Entertainment like Khan Khazana, Bournvita Quiz Contest and Antakshri. It
shows that we are open minded towards developing new concepts that create history.

• Our Company promotes the development of Arts and technology through our channel
ZIMA which is dedicated towards Media education in the field of Direction, Acting,
Writing, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Production, Film Animation & Visual Effects

• Zee Telefilms ensures that a perfect balance is maintained between the values and
modernity; the successful broadcast and viewership of both Zee Jagran and Zee Trends
illustrates this.

• Artists and Compositions, music videos in particular, which have sensitive and adult
content are not being shown in the prime time slots and we plan on further reducing
their frequency in family channels altogether.
• Our company’s policy is to favour the development of new talent and ideas and our
shows like Saregama and Dance India Dance make sure that the required platform is
provided to the new talent.

• We focus on development cultures and ideas at the regional levels, with the broadcast of
seven different channels in the regional languages.
2. REALITY SHOWS

Reality shows of Zee Telefilms have always been dedicated towards catering to the needs of
youths and bringing out their talents on a larger platform.

• Initially, when the concept of reality shows was introduced in our channels, the TRPs
shot up, signaling public approval and the appreciation of our efforts. However as other
channels followed suite and broadcast similar concepts with the integration of more
masala, we had to add a touch of glamour and conflicts in them to survive the
competition. This made it inevitable that our originality be questioned.

• We agree to the fact that while we provide a platform and create stars overnight, they are
also left uncared for due to lack of their adequate promotion.

• We laid the foundation for classic shows like Jeena Isi Ka Naam hai which were
appreciated by masses.

• Our company agrees that the public voting is misused many a times with the audience
tending to neglect the talent of the candidate and choosing to vote on the basis of sex
appeal, region or profession. It is needed that a mechanism be devised to make the choice
of the winner more unbiased.
 • It was alleged during the broadcast of reality shows relating to children that they were not
taken proper care of and were harassed. While we do realize that the show went for
longer durations than proposed initially, but maintain that at no point of time the children
were put under undue stress or suffered from fatigue. Yet, it is felt that more norms need
to be made about such shows to guide us in future.

• Our company realizes that the conflicts in reality shows garner more attention than
anything else, boosting our TRPs. However, we maintain that though hyped, these
conflicts among contestants and judges are not pre planned.

2. MORAL PANIC

Our company has channels for all age groups with content that is apt for them.
• Our news reports go on to find the most hidden truths and facets of issues that should
draw public attention as it is related to their well fare.
• Our company understands that plagiarism is hitting the music industry badly and this
calls for measures to be taken in this regard.
• Music videos with vulgar and sensational content is often telecast without proper
screening with regard to the audience. This has to be taken care of.
• Serials like ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’ that depicted the sorry state of women in
the rural states, were huge commercial success on one side while on the other the
unprecedented use of foul language in the serial while being telecast in the Prime Slot has
caused considerable condemnation by the audience. Though it went with the idea of the
producers to make the soap more real, it has been communicated to them that the
language has to be restricted.
• News Channels with talk shows high light both Expert and Public views on the topis of
universal appeal and interests.
 • Often unnecessary details are highlighted in the News Channels
• It has been observed that reporting the private life of celebrities and general public alike
has become more of a trend with the news channels. The standard of the News Content
has reduced in the process of increasing TRPs.
• Considerable Media hype is created about baseless and non-relevant issues like 2012 or
the extra-marital affairs of politicians, without bothering to obtain supporting proofs or
conducting an in depth analysis of such reports in order to compete with other news
channels.

RESOLUTION PAPERS

1.REALITY SHOWS

Being the pioneer in the field of reality shows, our responsibilities in this regard is enormous.
With the advent of more concepts about these type of shows, a line justifying the need and the
content of such shows needs to be drawn.

• Our company reinforces the idea that the originality regarding both, the concept and the
content, have to be reinforced in the coming seasons. Better and more imaginative
concepts without controversial issues need to be thought of which not only boost our
TRPs but also provide healthy and beneficial entertainment to our audience.
 • The voting system to decide the winner for a talent hunt has to be redesigned in order to
make it fool proof and only the best contestant in all respects should be able to make it to
the top.

• A market has to be created for the stars that these talent shows create overnight so as to
make up for the loss they usually have to go through with regard to no contacts in the
industry with usually a loss of an educational year.

• Our company understands that we need to revise our policies on child care during their
stay with us at the time of child related talent shows. It has to be ascertained that the
initial duration of the entire season of the Show is strictly adhered to, there is no
academic year loss for them, they Judges are refrained from making any harsh or
discouraging comments and there is an age limit for the participation in such
competitions. Apart from these, proper care in---- must be paid to the physical and
emotional health of the children.

2.MORAL PANIC

In regard with moral panic, steps need to be taken to ensure that what we broadcast to our
viewers is accepted and approved by them and do not create unnecessary controversies or hurt
their sentiments.
 • Our company is planning to lay strict norms regarding the contents and the way of
reporting News items that Zee News and Zee Business have to follow.
• The reporters will research and report more about the advancement of our nation in
various fields and the contribution of common men in the development of the nation.
• Private life of people will not be reported unless of grave concern to the public.
• Any controversial issue which can hurt the sentiments of anybody but cannot be avoided
will be carefully reported.
• No news piece will be reported without proper investigation.
• Music Videos aired randomly during the day and prime time shall be duly filtered for
adult or obscene contents.
• Zee Telefilm proposes the filing of a petition to formulate a law against plagiarism.
• The producers and directors of our daily soaps that are being aired on prime time need to
be instructed to avoid use of foul language and obscene shots.
• Creating sensation or improving the viewership rating of their respective channels, the
news channels were promoting enmity among different groups and indulging the acts
prejudicial to harmony. We shall strive to refrain from it.

3.FREE CULTURE

As Zee Telefilms continues to maintain the perfect harmony between modernity and ethical
values and balance the privilege of entertaining the masses with the responsibilities of a
dedicated press, we wish to further promote creativity and free culture but without raising any
eyebrows.

• Zee telefilms has decided to seriously take up the cause of struggling artists who despite
their talents are unable to establish their careers.
• Our Company continues to hold high ideals and will ensure that its doesn’t get involved
into murky political setup which exploit the common man. Instead, we have resolved to
further strength our campaign against corruption and social injustices.
• TV channels seen being empowered with strong technology and massive public support
go too far into judicial affairs and tend to pass judgments which may unnecessarily effect
not just public opinion but also lead to injustice for the effected party.
• Our company hereby, resolves to impose certain restrictions upon its live broadcasting
agenda which will be impartially highlight both sides of the story.
• Zee Telefilms still maintains that an segment, whether entertainment or press, which
tends to hurt Indian sentiments and cultural values is unacceptable and we will continue
ensure that our channels are free from such baloney.
• Zee Telefilms will soon be launching an Indian History Channel targeting the youth and
the children to bring them back to their very Indian roots.
• Zee Telefilms also wishes bring forth the various social and cultural sufferings of the
people without pointless hype and drama.