5 Request to Panel Experts: From An Audience's Point of View

I got the opportunity to be audience of one of pre-budget talk show to be aired on national business news channel on some serious financial implication on one of the sector. I had expected to hear the experts and learn from their wise words, but my expectation was completely dashed. Though I have no doubt about the credentials of panel experts, but the point they presented in favour of their argument and in the manner they presented, it was a big let down. My experience of today prompted me to write a request any expert, who participates in panel discussion, he/she should take following considerations into mind to not to let down the audience:

1)      Don’t take your audience for granted:  Your studio audience can be manipulated, but please understand that you are airing your opinion to millions of viewers sitting in their drawing room. They won’t buy your opinion just like that.

2)      Don’t oppose something just for the opposing it: In my today’s experience, where all the panel members were supposed oppose a rumoured stand of government, they all were opposing it just for the purpose of opposing it, and most of their points were fictitious. So, my request to experts is that if you are opposing something, please bring out some credible points to impress upon the audience as well as decision maker.

3)      Don’t contradict yourself: This was a point again to where panel experts let down the audience. Most of points which they presented in the beginning to support their view, were contradicted by themselves later on the same show, just after ten minutes. So, please don’t get so excited in proposing or opposing something that you lose the track.

4)      Support your fact with numbers: When you are supporting or opposing some idea, please do it with numbers. Numbers lend credibility to words, which otherwise look hollow. And hollowness does not create any impression.

5)      Don’t make emotional plea, give rationale behind your opinion: An emotional plea is made for charity and votes, not for business. So, please don’t conclude your point with  emotional plea; give some rationale behind your opinion to make audience judge the strength behind it.