Trial By Television: Indian Talk Shows and Social Change
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Maggie Callahan
May 14, 2020
It is not often that daytime television talk shows are discussed in tandem with social progress. From the fanatical paternity tests of Jerry Springer and Maury to the noxious, feel-good mindless programming of Rachel Ray, television talk shows have been dismissed of having any meaningful social value. Satyamev Jayate, an Indian daytime talk show, however, discusses and mobilizes the Indian public on issues of consequence.
Satyamev Jayate translates to, “Truth alone prevails,” and the show and its host demonstrate how impactful truth can be at combatting the most pervasive issues in Indian life. The show has had three seasons since 2012, and each episode highlights an overlooked social issue, ranging from corruption in the healthcare system to sexual abuse and the ineffectual way the Indian legal system punishes this severe crime.
The show hosts individuals who have experienced an injustice to discuss their experiences. Leaders and accountable bodies are also invited to present their side of the story. The host interviews and allows these individuals to present their lived experiences to the broader Indian public. The show then discusses the ways that the public can become involved to mitigate the problem and petition the government to enact meaningful change.
The show targets the broader Indian public to examine the political powers and institutions that exist. Not only is the audience watching at home encouraged to participate in enacting social change, but the show is also filmed in front of a live audience who is invited to participate and join in the discussion taking place. The show also provides ways for audiences at home to use their cellphones and social media to become involved in the show’s discussions in real time and in the change-making process following the episode.
One episode highlighted the immense issue of childhood sexual abuse. The show revealed that over 53% of Indian children are subject to this type of abuse. Despite the widespread issue, India had no law punishing this act as a serious crime. Consequently, even children that identified and exposed their abusers would not find their traumatizer meaningfully punished.
Following the episode, the Indian parliamentary standing committee invited the group of sexual abuse experts featured on the television show to serve in an advisory role on a bill attempting to protect children from sexual offences. The bill was drafted and passed quickly and included harsh punishment for abusers, which includes up to a life sentence in jail. Moreover, the bill forces the abuser to prove the abuse did not happen instead of forcing the abused child to prove that it did happen.
The new law is just one of many examples of social change that Satyamev Jayate has accomplished by mobilizing the Indian public and raising awareness of pervasive social problems. Satyamev Jayate proves that trial by television has the potential to inspire real, meaningful social change.
To learn more about this case https://participedia.net/case/1449. To read about other innovative applications of public participation, visit www.participedia.net.
Author: Maggie Callahan is a master’s student of public diplomacy at Syracuse University and a graduate assistant for the Participedia Project at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She holds a bachelor’s in political science and economics from Mercer University and has worked in Georgian, Moroccan and Nepalese nongovernmental organizations and the American government. Follow her on Twitter: @laissezmaggie
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Trial By Television: Indian Talk Shows and Social Change
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Maggie Callahan
May 14, 2020
It is not often that daytime television talk shows are discussed in tandem with social progress. From the fanatical paternity tests of Jerry Springer and Maury to the noxious, feel-good mindless programming of Rachel Ray, television talk shows have been dismissed of having any meaningful social value. Satyamev Jayate, an Indian daytime talk show, however, discusses and mobilizes the Indian public on issues of consequence.
Satyamev Jayate translates to, “Truth alone prevails,” and the show and its host demonstrate how impactful truth can be at combatting the most pervasive issues in Indian life. The show has had three seasons since 2012, and each episode highlights an overlooked social issue, ranging from corruption in the healthcare system to sexual abuse and the ineffectual way the Indian legal system punishes this severe crime.
The show hosts individuals who have experienced an injustice to discuss their experiences. Leaders and accountable bodies are also invited to present their side of the story. The host interviews and allows these individuals to present their lived experiences to the broader Indian public. The show then discusses the ways that the public can become involved to mitigate the problem and petition the government to enact meaningful change.
The show targets the broader Indian public to examine the political powers and institutions that exist. Not only is the audience watching at home encouraged to participate in enacting social change, but the show is also filmed in front of a live audience who is invited to participate and join in the discussion taking place. The show also provides ways for audiences at home to use their cellphones and social media to become involved in the show’s discussions in real time and in the change-making process following the episode.
One episode highlighted the immense issue of childhood sexual abuse. The show revealed that over 53% of Indian children are subject to this type of abuse. Despite the widespread issue, India had no law punishing this act as a serious crime. Consequently, even children that identified and exposed their abusers would not find their traumatizer meaningfully punished.
Following the episode, the Indian parliamentary standing committee invited the group of sexual abuse experts featured on the television show to serve in an advisory role on a bill attempting to protect children from sexual offences. The bill was drafted and passed quickly and included harsh punishment for abusers, which includes up to a life sentence in jail. Moreover, the bill forces the abuser to prove the abuse did not happen instead of forcing the abused child to prove that it did happen.
The new law is just one of many examples of social change that Satyamev Jayate has accomplished by mobilizing the Indian public and raising awareness of pervasive social problems. Satyamev Jayate proves that trial by television has the potential to inspire real, meaningful social change.
To learn more about this case https://participedia.net/case/1449. To read about other innovative applications of public participation, visit www.participedia.net.
Author: Maggie Callahan is a master’s student of public diplomacy at Syracuse University and a graduate assistant for the Participedia Project at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She holds a bachelor’s in political science and economics from Mercer University and has worked in Georgian, Moroccan and Nepalese nongovernmental organizations and the American government. Follow her on Twitter: @laissezmaggie
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