By: Abhinav Kumar
“The ethics of journalism are one thing. Another thing is business” – Adam Michnik
Media played its role like a businessman in the coverage of Sushant Singh Rajput suicidal case. It was the worse example of insensitive coverage. Media kept all its ethics at stake just for TRP’s. Let me take you back to Sridevi’s death it was attributed as “maut ka bathtub”. Why this irrational behaviour?
If we say 2020 to be the worst year it would be appropriate all over world countries have been hit very hard. Coming to India I think the scenario is worst along with mix natural disasters tropical cyclones, wildfires, landslides, earthquakes tremors, the border dispute with the hostile nation and it’s encroachment in India ocean all at the same time and in between this happening passing away of two veteran actors Irfaan Khan and Rishi Kapoor in a consecutive day and now Sushant commits suicide, till now 2020 has proven itself a year of resilience, a year of change and a year of new normal.
Being a journalism student we are taught about different types of news ‘hard news’, ‘soft news’ hard news contains politics and latest proxy news and soft news category mainly contains human interest news and what kind of news will get coverage on the front page and what will get a small column in the sixth page left corner.
While seeing the coverage of Sushant death by mainstream media a panel discussion was seen on his death. The panel constituted psychiatrist not a very common norm for us. Depression is the most dreadful disease right now the reason is you can cure another disease if you are strong by your mind but what if that mind is not in your control. Normal people are precautious about talking about their, mental health cause “log kya kahenge” (what people will say) and if she/he is celebrity how media will be covering this and how it will impact his/her carrier.
We all are aware of the fact that how media speculates the events by their own and if that is related to entertainment then for sure cheap paparazzi will revolve in Market. I have one question from you all that when the last time you saw a human interest show which was broadcasted on mainstream media, I can surely say that many of us will not remember that because such shows are not broadcasted on mainstream media regularly, either it is broadcasted on some special days or some weekdays. The only news and shows that are broadcasted regularly will be related to politics, entertainment gossip or sports. This becomes worst when you will see some evening panel discussion and primetime discussion very provocative actions along with only noise. It’s the worst program that goes in the name of prime time only wasting time and energy of viewers and not providing them single penny knowledge. All these shows human interest stories don’t get attention from media houses and it is sidelined by the viewers also. The role of media is to educate people not to make them fool, but this is done very smartly by media houses and drifting them from the real problem. A strong nation is built upon strong citizens and if the real problems of citizens are neglected how this is going to happen. In India, almost 40% of the suicide cases are related to relation problem. Human interest stories directly impact an individual’s life mentally and physically. So panel discussion should be focused on human interest stories and it’s problems instead of that crap discussions, nobody is against the news regarding politics that is broadcasted but the crap discussions that go. The repeated discussion that goes should be changed with human interest stories that will help people. Although, it is late still let’s make our world a better place and bring out people to discuss more on their mental health. If shows would have been telecast on depression and depressed patients, then Shushant would have also got the courage to share his last
thoughts of depression to the public via media.
Do remember that depression is not a taboo. Make up your voice we are here for you.
(Abhinav Kumar writes for environmental issues and awareness on The Envox.) https://theenvox.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/swarms-of-locust-invades-and-attacks-india/
Daksha 