In an attempt to make their reality shows more emotionally appealing, television channels focus more on the emotional catharsis and trauma that a child goes through after being eliminated. Following such cases, the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission banned television reality shows involving children, stating that human rights were being violated and children were portrayed in an objectionable manner. The ban came after a group of activists filed a petition against the dance reality show Aata-5 on Zee Telugu channel. Blame it on the TRP’s or over-ambitious parents, but it’s ultimately the children who are made to be scapegoats in the vicious circle of reality shows.
Dr Harish Shetty, well-known psychiatrist prefers to differ from the human right activists, saying, “The ban comes in as an act of fascism and doesn’t really hold any ground. Having been on counselling panels of some of these shows, I can vouch for the safety mechanisms that are in place.”