Those who know me have probably heard me ranting about how sick I am of the whole “news reporting” business in India which they like to call the responsible Indian media.
Since the days of Jessica Lal and Manu Sharma, the Indian media has come a long way. Often crossing the lines of what would be considered reporting/provocation for pure gossip/TRP ratings at the cost of some poor soul/s.
Some Instances –
- Story-1 (NDTV, Sify) - David Beckham/Shah Rukh Khan detained at US airport for search/questioning. It was reported by NDTV a few days ago that Soccer star David Beckham was detained at a US airport and that he was pissed and fuming. So I did a search on Google news for “David Beckham” and it wasn’t surprising to discover that the only other site reporting something about incident was yet another Indian site Sify. I looked at BBC’s website hoping I might find something at least on the UK news website. Nada..zilch..nothing..not CNN, MSNBC..no where. It just wasn’t news for them. So what does that mean, you ask – It means that the Indian media is so negative and so hungry for news that they create news out of their derailed mucous filled brains. David Beckham, Shahrukh Khan or who ever else you want to put the name of here, being detained at the airports for search as part of a routine security process is not NEWS. Please take note of that you fuckin morons. Stop pulling news out of your sagging asses. It’s simply not done. Stop. Now.
- Story-2 (NDTV) - Minister of Parliament Shahnawaz Hussain was denied US visa. He was to attend a UN meeting in US - The sentiments here are the same. It’s not the big story you are looking for. There’s no need to perform a detailed post mortem on this and get emotional and sentimental. FYI, USCIS cannot and does not deny a visa without giving a written explanation. It’s usually just a matter of catering to some more requirements and explanations. People are denied visas everyday. So please stop reporting which minister was denied visa and whoz dog was allowed. We don’t need to know unless it’s the Prime Minister or the President. What gives all Indian ministers the right to visit the US anyway, don’t care the reason? It’s not a right from last I heard. Period.
- Story-3 (NDTV, IBNLive) A young “Kashmiri” cricketer was arrested on suspicions of carrying explosives. he was later released for lack of evidence. The story went on for couple of days (it’s still on I think) All this while, the media very responsibly chose to call the cricketer a “kashmiri” cricketer. He’s of course not “a young cricketer” nor “a cricketer” nor an “Indian”. He is a “kashmiri cricketer”. The likes of Barkha Dutt would argue that this is a better and catchy and sellable story. I wouldn’t argue with the professionals from the business. They have of course graduated from the school of lost souls and idiotic reasonings.
I don’t really care if the cricketer was guilty or it was part of a set up like Dutt seems to argue. I don’t give a fuck to what the real deal was. What I have a problem with in this case is the “way” you report it. It should have been reported as a “young cricketer was arrested in Karnataka”. That’s it. Please keep the details to yourself. Sleep with them. Save them for your autobiography. The public does not need to know that he is a “kashmiri”. Would you have reported it much the same way if the cricketer happened to be a Bengali? I can’t imagine a tweet from Dutt saying ” A young bengali cricketer was arrested on suspicion of carrying explosives.” Why the special treatment to the Kashmiris? And then you throw this tweet in the mix. That’s what they call marketing folks. Create a provocative story, create a conversation and then raise your TRP’s for the fucking tonight show
The arrest of any soul on incorrect grounds is unwarranted – leave alone a “kashmiri”. You put the twist on the story by making it a “kashmiri” plight. And then you complain why some elements lash out with terror. The media gives them a reason to. You call that responsible reporting? How is that bit of news important? How does that help the society? How does that help India as nation?
You want to blame the cops for the screw up? Good. I am right there with you. You want to blame the politicians. Sure why not. But how about taking some of the blame yourself for giving the people of kashmir even a slight reason to think that there are some people out there to get them!
It’s good that you have learnt to tweet. It’s a tough job..really. Coming up with 140 characters to catch people’s attention. Now you just need some common sense, restraint and a sane mind. Can’t be that hard can it?
Tagged: india