MxMIndia

Tag: social networking sites

  • The social networking sites were requested to take appropriate steps in line with those outlined in the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2000

    Government regulation for networking sites

    By A Correspondent

     

    The government has held many discussions with social networking sites and brought to their notice that objectionable content appearing on the sites may lead to law and order problems. The social networking sites were requested to take appropriate steps in line with those outlined in the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2000.

     

    Adequate legal provisions are already in place in this regard. Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules, 2011 under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Further section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 empowers the government to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to these.

     

    This was stated by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Sachin Pilot in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2012.

     

     

  • There are many who think that the show was a success and will eventually lead to some change as evolutions don't happen overnight

    End of Season 1 of Satyamev Jayate: The good, the bad and the ugly truths of life

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    In the past 13 weeks, one show has done what no other show has been able to in a long time – get people face-to-face with the ugly truths of our society. Aamir Khan’s television debut, Satyamev Jayate, was the most-talked about show even months before it was aired. It was touted to revolutionize the Sunday morning slot on the Indian television.

     

    From the very first episode till its last episode on July 29, the show was able to create a lot of buzz. People shared their views on the social ills the show highlighted on social networking sites. The news channels and newspapers carried expert views and opinions on the show. It didn’t back down from highlighting the fact that a country of one billion lives like ostriches when it comes to taking action against such evils.

     

    However, inspite of all the hue and cry, one question still remains on everyone’s mind: was it really effective?

     

    MxMIndia spoke to industry experts, journalists and even activists after the show was aired on May 6 and almost all of them gave it thumbs up. Now that the show has ended, we got in touch with the same people to know their opinions…

     

    TRP: the only yardstick?

    Chandradeep Mitra

    For any channel and show, the TRPs it gets are the yardstick at which its popularity is measured on. Star India’s Satyamev Jayate which premiered across nine channels – Star Plus, Star Pravah, DD National, ETV, Star Utsav, Vijay, Star Jalsha, Star World & Asianet – got a rating of an average 4 TVR for the CS4+ in the Hindi speaking markets and an average of 4.9 TVR for the All 4+, according to the TAM viewership data. But, as the weeks rolled on, the ratings dipped.

     

    Many, however, feel that such shows cannot be measured by TRPs as they are much bigger than that. “For a show like this, ratings alone cannot be the yardstick. One must not forget that the it was a non-entertainment show and was aired on Sunday mornings.  For a slot and content like that, the show did very good,” said Chandradeep Mitra, managing partner, Anvention.

     

    Anil Sathiraju

    He added: “We must look at the social impact it created and I’m sure it will remain in people’s memories for a long time. Apart from the buzz created on social networking sites and getting eyeballs, I’m sure now companies will also increase their CSR activities as it highlighted the work done by a few.”

     

    Similarly, Anil Sathiraju, Head – south, Mudra Max Media, too feels that content and impact are more important than the ratings: “What the show has done to the morning slot is evident enough, that it made people sit up and take notice. And I’m sure now most channels, including Star, will want to revive the slot and come up with shows which will not make the slot redundant.”

     

    Sundeep Nagpal

    The show wasn’t developed and promoted for TRPs, said Sundeep Nagpal, founder director, Stratagem Media. “It was applicable for the masses and not many shows of such genre have been created. Hence, it would be wrong to judge it on the ratings…it’s much more than that. It bought out the issues which are prevalent but under the surface. For example how many of us in Mumbai knew about Khap panchayats? The show is a turning point in the Indian television history.”

     

    The much-hyped show even went on to charge an exorbitant amount for the 10-second advertisement slot which was sold at thrice the usual rates. “For an advertiser, the show was the best medium to reach its audiences. For the first time, a show was created, which in turn created two new stakes – timeslot and a new category of a show. So, many didn’t hesitate in paying that extra for the quality they were getting in return,” explained Llyod Mathias, director GreenBean Ventures and former CMO of Tata Teleservices and Motorola.

     

    Aamir Khan vs Content

    Anita Nayyar

    According to the media planner, Anita Nayyar, who is moving back to her former agency Havas from Bennett, Coleman & Company (BCCL) by August, initially the show got the hype only because it was anchored by the actor and the fact that the concept of the show was well hidden. However, for a show like Satyamev Jayate, it’s the content which plays a bigger role.

     

    “Satyamev Jayate is a socially relevant show and in the beginning, I think, it did mobilize people. However, in between it lost its public appeal. And I’m not surprised as such shows only appeal to a certain section of the society. Hence, it wasn’t even able to garner the TRPs it deserved,” said Ms Nayyar.

     

    She explained that though the show was anchored by a popular actor like Aamir Khan there was a gap between enlightenment and mobilization. “The show was supposed to mobilize people, but it was only able to highlight the evils which we all know exist. Nonetheless, it was a good show.”

     

    Voicing the same opinion, Sarla Bijapurkar, sociologist, believes that if one has to score Aamir Khan vis-a-vis the content of the show, Aamir would win. “Public memory is very short and everything will be lost if there is no follow-up. For instance, take the episode where diktats of Khap panchayats were highlighted. Has anything changed? No, we still have such bodies making people’s lives miserable. Sometimes, when one hears or reads about such instances, it makes you wonder if we, as a society, take two steps backward for every one step taken forward.”

     

    “For me, the show will only mean something if it is able to do a follow-up on the issues highlighted. Also, instead of raising a new issue every time, I think, they should have focused on fewer and discussed about different dimensions related to a particular issue. Maybe, then it would have been able to brought about a change,” said Ms Bijapurkar.

     

    Waiting for a change…

    Ranjona Banerji

    However, there are many who think that the show was a success and was able to do more than just generate public interest and will eventually lead to some change as evolutions don’t happen overnight.

     

    Ranjona Banerji, a senior journalist and contributing editor, MxMIndia, feels that the show did justice to the concept though there were a few dodges like the show being too emotional, sometimes. The first two episodes – female foeticide and child sexual abuse – were able to create a lot of public interest. “Apart from these two episodes, the episodes which moved me were the ones on disability and senior citizens. The show did the work of a journalist and was even able to answer a few questions. Hopefully, they’ll tweak the show a little bit and come up with a second season – better and stronger.”

     

  • The survey was conducted to gauge the growing popularity of the social networking sites and its impact on the matrimonial sector

    Singles spend more time on matrimonial than social networking sites: Shaadi.com survey

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a survey conducted by the matrimonial portal, Shaadi.com, it has been found that 63 per cent singles searching for a match tend to spend more time on matrimonial sites than the social networking sites.

     

    The survey was conducted to gauge the growing popularity of the social networking sites and its impact on the matrimonial sector. The findings of the survey clearly showcase that even though the social networking sites are gaining momentum, when it comes to partner search matrimonial sites are considered reliable and trustworthy by singles and hence they tend to visit these sites more often through the day.

     

    The survey also highlights the importance singles give to the social networking sites during partner search. The survey findings reveal that 31 per cent singles agreed to be searching for the profile of their potential partner immediately after they receive Expression of Interest (EOI). While, 27 per cent have denied checking the potential/ short listed partner’s profile till they finalizes someone. 25 per cent singles add each other on social networking sites post their chat on the Shaadi.com instant Messenger and the rest 17 per cent do so after their first meeting.

     

    This trend of visiting the potential partner’s profile on social networking sites like Facebook is mostly noticed amongst the male respondents (74 per cent) as opposed to women respondents (63 per cent). Women respondents have said that they mostly feel the social networking sites are meant for their friends and hence they refrain from adding potential partners to their social network.

     

    Commenting on the survey results, Gourav Rakshit, Business Head, Shaadi.com, said: “The survey findings clearly confirms the fact that people consider matrimonial sites like Shaadi.com more reliable while searching for a partner outside their social circle and hence singles log in more often to these sites as compared to social networking sites which are meant mainly to be in contact with their social circle. These sites are also meant for individuals who can connect with others from a relevant community or having common interests. Members who initially meet through Shaadi.com tend to check potential partners profile on social networking sites to know the common interests, friends, hobbies they might have but certainly do not look for a match through these sites.”