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Reality TV shows are a matter of concern for UK viewers
LONDON: TV viewers in the UK are expressing concern about reality TV shows which “humiliate and exploit” contestants.
The UK’s Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) interviewed more than 2,000 members of the public and had discussions with 14 different groups to gauge their views. Dramatic Licence: Fact or Fiction, centred on audience’s attitude to TV drama.
A BBC News report suggests that viewers were concerned that the public perception of contestants could be manipulated through slick editing. Reality TV has become a phenomenon in the last four or five years with programmes such as Big Brother and Survivor drawing huge audiences across the world. In the UK, however, the fourth edition of Big Brother showed a reduction in viewership.
In India, AXN has experienced success in the genre with shows like Fear factor and Who Dares Wins. The latter was localised last year. Auditions for the local version of Are You Hot are currently taking place.
BSC’s report states “Although viewers question the realism of reality TV, its overall appeal is the sensationalist content which viewers recognise can be heightened by the use of selective editing.” It also adds that audiences are concerned about whether the participant wanted the footage to be aired in its entirety.
As far as television dramas are concerned, viewers felt there was a general lack of quality programming and there was criticism for cliched themes that are continously recycled. The absence of originality is increasingly being felt in the storylines. The viewers called for realism in the storylines and should be based on some element of factual accuracy.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
