After the recent display of ‘shameless journalism’ by INDIA TV (yet again), it makes me wonder over the role of media in the society (yet again). I began to reconsider on the definition and significance of ‘Breaking News’. The picture shows the unusual nature of a tiger over his meal. Due to his “inappropriate” behaviour, he has been referred to as a ‘cat’, courtesy INDIA TV.
Apparently, the continuous mention of this trivial news as ‘Breaking’ gave me a déjà vu of similar news flashing (not so long back) on Prince and Buddhia Singh. This kind of TRP-hungry, incredible-lookin
g journalism (especially by Aaj Tak and INDIA TV) leaves us flummoxed over their intent. As for the ‘unusual tiger’ shown, his only qualification for coming on prime time TV was his ‘refusal’ to eat a live animal (lucky tiger..). Surprisingly, the channel later showed an illegal racket of tiger products in China and how these products are used for different purposes. The whole report on tiger products (which was very brief) seemed an extension to the initial catchy news which was aired for most of the time. Invariably, the title bar still shows ‘Breaking News’ for the ‘unusual behaviour’.Couple of days ago, Aaj Tak proclaimed that “Shahrukh ne Amar Singh ko darinda kaha..”. Although I agree many would like to subscribe to Shahrukh’s opinion, the real culprit here is again not the ‘40+ doing 20+ roles’ actor, but the media’s misinterpretation. Shahrukh had jokingly (and very casually, without any assertion) described Amar Singh as looking to him like a beast in Filmfare Awards. His ‘statement’ could easily pass as a jocular comment, regardless of their earlier bitterness. But Aaj Tak pounced on this opportunity to make his joke as a declaration. Furthermore, they asked Amar Singh of his opinion on this “serious” matter.
In a run for the moolah, the viewer’s purpose of watching daily TV-news is somewhere getting lost. People are probably not going to get enlightened by the knowledge of the ‘unusual’ tiger or change their opinions on Shahrukh Khan. Where is the media heading then; you decide. Is the media doing justice to the news or presenting it in an attractively packaged gift-wrapped form? How is this behaviour masking serious journalism, if at all? Did you like the pictures I have taken? Hehehe…..but seriously do tell me your views on this.
2 comments:
Hmm....
Media..well they call themselves the MASS MEDIA, implying they show what we ask for!!!
which is why the question that props up ever so often in my think-tank is where are we headed?? As humans, as people inhabiting planet earth, as indians... where are we really headed??
Is it possible that the media has re-defined its definition of "breaking news" cause that's what the masses expect... Is it possible that they too have become TRP concious??
I don't know.. there are a lot of questions that run through my head when i hear a not-so Breaking news..
its a debatable topic thats for certain....
either ways... i will always maintain...we need a filter... a filter to help us ignore things and issues that don't affect us directly... :)
This a superb product of flavoured news as you described it. On this point one can think back upon DD (......obviously DoorDarshan) as they gave news without amplifying it, in factual format. Keeping aside the debates and hidden camera activities carried out by private news channels which are beneficial many times but such flavouring of news or giving a verdict may make the subject in case vulnerable.
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