Television, Culture and Consumerism in India
Abstract
India knew the notion and method of mass communication and news from the ancient period. Hindu mythological belief refers to Narad Muni who was not only a news giver but also a newscaster, a journalist. Though narrating the truth, he could use to slanting, if it suited the interest of justice. Kautilya, a minister of Chandragupta Maurya, enhanced a coherent exposition of a system of promulgation, information and intelligence suited to big mechanical kingdoms. Kautilyas Arth Shastra explained how news was to be collected through various sources. During the time of Ashoka there was also a system of visual circulation of the news of the day. These were produced in small pictures drawn on temple walls in ink and colour which could be erased easily. Ashoka chose to capture on rocks the laws of dharma or the morals.