How true crime balances journalism and drama | The Media Rumble 2022

What makes #truecrime such a compelling genre? How does one balance journalism and drama, and how does censorship impact filmmakers?

These were some of the themes of “True Crime: Podcast and Films”, a panel discussion held at The #MediaRumble 2022, which took place in Delhi on October 14 and 15. Moderated by Newslaundry executive editor Manisha Pande, the panel comprised Mayank Shekhar, film critic, journalist and author; Ayesha Sood, director of independent film company Jamun; and Josy Joseph, investigative journalist and founder of Confluence Media.

Ayesha said journalism and cinema “have to marry” to make this genre come alive. Given the current climate where “people are very fast to sue”, she said applying journalistic rigour is important for the filmmaker, platform and producers alike.

Josy explained how viewers and readers have been “liberated” from the “cliché and clutches of cinema crafting”. “Scripted series, documentaries, longform, nonfiction writing – all of these allow playing around with characters and identifying more conflict,” he said.

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00:00 to 2:50 Session glimpses

02:51 to 07:58 What are the panellists' favourite true crime series and why?

07:59 to 12:03 What are the key ingredients of true crime?

12:04 to 15:24 How does one create a balance between journalism and drama while making true crime movie or series?

15:25 to 19:49 Why does crime as a format work in news and movies?

19:50 to 23:41 Where does Indian content about true crime have an advantage?

23:42 to 27:48 Making of true crime series and movies and the future of the genre

27:49 to 31:50 The impacts of sensationalism of true crime in journalism

31:51 to 36:51 Censorship and restrictions on filmmaking in India

36:52 to 48:18 Audience Q&A

48:19 to 48:40 End

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