The biggest misfortune today in India is not hunger, poverty, unemployment, or lack of development but it is when problems like such remain unaddressed. While on the one hand a gigantic percentage of people dying due to covid19, GDP is declining, rape and crimes are increasing but the media industry in India is busy in defaming Bollywood Industries and opposition parties thereby leaving aside all socio-economic issues of the country. India’s media universe has changed news television has descended from journalism into pulverizing propaganda that pushes political views and bullies contrary opinion. Until 2000, journalism was respected by people and feared by crooks.
In the name of truth, some self-styled influencers have glossed over the distinction between news, opinion, and hypothesis. They seem to believe that the louder people are, especially on television channels, the more authenticity there is to their arguments. But aggression and decibel levels doesn’t change the truth. This is probably why this period is being called the post-truth era.
For instance, If we look at the way several news agencies dealt with the suicide case of promising actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The uncertainty and drama surrounding his death had been going on for months until experts ruled that it was indeed a case of suicide. Initially, after registering a first information report in Bihar, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI spokesperson did not issue any statement on the case at that time. But some television channels were determined to cast themselves in the roles of the plaintiff, lawyer, and judge, all at once.
But here the job of reporters didn’t end, rather in the next chapter of the saga, his former partner and film actor Rhea Chakraborty was pilloried as a gold digger and as a person who may have had a role in his death. Several actors and Chief Minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray and his family were targeted.
That was the result of? What led to the problem? Actually, the phenomenon has much to do with the business model because the reason behind all the drama is that today in 2020; Most of the Indian Electronic Media is on paid news or Biased with the power of Government. They are way behind the research journalism. The people are seeking the truth which will unveil the current status of the country. But Indian media do a lot of ‘WTF journalism’. They exaggerate headlines and use a lot of crap words to define any particular news hence with the same aim – to get TRP, more views, and of course to attract and fool a lot of dimwits.
Now, most politicians or parties across the country either own or back TV news channels by proxy. Profit is not money, but influence. The journalist turned into a hired gun of politicians and lost legitimacy. TV newsmen became unctuously untrustworthy underlings who are perceived contemptuously by the public as enteric entertainers with the morals of a psychotic sycophant. Anchors don’t lose a second’s sleepover holding a media trial to send an innocent girl to jail.
Here I bring you a few bloopers, fails, blunders, and lies made by Indian media that will make you say ‘R.I.P journalism’.
- Let me take you to the time when India was about to face New Zealand in the Semi-final of World Cup 2019.
When other news channels were probably discussing the strategies Indian Cricket Team could bring into the game, here was Aaj Tak, and Tez, with its special coverage on the World Cup match, titled “Modi Dilayenge Cup” (Modi will bring the Cup) and “Modi ka Luck, Virat layenge Cup” ( With Modi’s luck, Virat will bring Cup”. )
