The biggest competition on small screen witnessed today, is among the news channels breaking the news first, so as to be in the No. 1 position in TRP ratings. Therefore, in today’s modern journalism ethics take a back seat and the priority is given to so called sponsored news. Very few channels truly practice ethics, while broadcasting the news. Recently released web series ‘The Broken News’ is the best example to show the competition between two news channels. Presented in eight episodes, this newsroom drama shows two rival channels operating from the same building. So, one can imagine the kind of competition between them and the pressure under which their news editors and reporters work.
Josh 24 headed by callous Dipankar Sanyal ( Jaideep Ahlawat) and Awaz Bharati managed by upright Amina Qureshi ( Sonali Bendre) assisted by dynamic brave reporter Radha Bhargava played by Shriya Pilgaonkar. Inspite of its limited content of breaking news stories, director Vinay Waikul focusses more on the style of functioning of these two rival news channels, the pressure faced by news editors from the management and promoters and above all, the problems faced by lead characters, in their personal life. The screenplay by Sambit Mishra is very well presented to make this web series an action filled drama from beginning till end.
Performances by all the lead characters are exemplary. But, it is Sonali Bendre who invites all the attention through her fine debut on OTT platform. Young Shriya Pilgaonkar makes her presence felt, while Jaideep Ahlawat displays his super talent . Big names like Kiran Kumar, Aakash Khurana, Mugdha Godse and few others have very limited scope. ‘The Broken News’ is certainly, a clear expose of how some of our news channels are functioning today, against the principles of Journalism. A Worth watch series for all those adults, who keep keen interest in television news. Available on Zee 5 app.
Rating : ***1/2