Okay. Enough of current affairs, parliamentary debates, and dead politicians. As this is – nominally, at least – a media column, let’s do something about the entertainment media. Read more

I spent much of Wednesday watching the second US Presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Till recently, the conventional wisdom had it that debates don’t really change anything. Read more

I don’t think the Indian government’s response to the Washington Post article about Dr Manmohan Singh can be termed the subject of a major controversy. A controversy occurs when there are at least two conflicting points of view, both strongly expressed. Read more

One of the ironies of the current decline of print media in the West is that while newspaper and newsmagazines find it difficult to survive, the up-market magazine sector flourishes. The Washington Post may lose money, (the London) Times may be bleeding and the New York Times may struggle to make a profit, but Vanity Fair, Vogue, In Style and the rest face no threat to their continued survival. Read more

One of my lasting regrets, each time I go to the United States, is that my favourite bookshops have all closed. So, for that matter, have all the record (or CD) shops that I used to frequent. Read more

There is an unwritten rule of cinema and TV direction. It goes something like this: if you are making a period picture or TV series then you must settle on a tone. Read more

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. When it comes to corruption and the public mood, this government – and perhaps the political class as a whole – just doesn’t get it. Read more

If you look hard enough at the newspapers, you might be able to make some sense of the debate over FDI in retail. But if you are stuck with the mainstream news channels, then the issues may not seem much clearer. Read more

Now that the anniversary of 26/11 is upon us, expect to hear the usual debates and discussions about the need to urgently hang Ajmal Kasab, about problems involved in dealing with Pakistan, and the consistent terrorist threat that India faces. Read more

It is now almost an article of faith within the media that a) this is a very corrupt government and that b) its leaders lack the will or the inclination to fight corruption. Read more