There’s so much happening in the world, however, the Indian TV media is adhered with Sridevi’s death mystery which is still an emotional topic for many, since her family hasn’t even yet been able to go through a funeral. Switch on a news channel and all you would not be able to get away from the same. But, one can just wish if it was something on a more positive note.
Even though Sridevi passed away, it’s the Indian TV journalism that should be declared absolutely dead for their sensationalised reporting on Sridevi’s death. One look at any prime-time show on the news channel and you’ll instantly want to cry a little over the ethics that these media houses are going through.
Sridevi died of accidental drowning and after the postmortem, the doctors were able to find traces of alcohol in her blood, and since the news broke out, media houses are doing all kinds of circus acts to make themselves stand apart. While some jumped into the bathroom themselves, others decided to show Sridevi in the bathtub, along with a wine glass and Boney Kapoor in the bathroom too. One reporter on from a news channel decided to experiment the drowning himself in order to find out if it’s even possible.
The coverage has deflected into gossip disguised by claims of grief and has elevated defamatory rumors over reportage. India’s prime-time news has scraped the bottom of the barrel in order to administer something different from the story. Along with disparaging graphics, it was the hashtags that snubbed away the last drop of humanity and intellect from these channels and the minds behind them.
Here are some of the examples on Sridevi’s death mystery that would immediately push you to boycott cable news for forever.
Last night, while the news channels were busy sensationalising every inch of the death, people on Twitter became furious over how daunting Indian journalism became.
At one point, Barkha Dutt even tweeted out, “The only answer to these #Sridevi hideous hashtags on news tv tonight is one of our own: #NewsKiMaut. Forget a bathtub; a drain pipe will do for this gutter level rubbish. Ashamed to be affiliated with this. Relieved to not be on air in this present environment”
The only answer to these #Sridevi hideous hashtags on news tv tonight is one of our own : #NewsKiMaut. Forget a bathtub; a drain pipe will do for this gutter level rubbish. Ashamed to be affiliated with this. Relieved to not be on air in this present environment
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 26, 2018
Soon the particular hashtag started trending on the platform and people got to see how unethical the ethical code of journalism has become. Many came out and called out the channels for the BS they’re showing the people. Check out the reactions over here:
Think TV channels and tweeps can safely leave the job of investigating Sridevi's death on police. They'll do it better
— Amit (@leosamit) February 26, 2018
“What does sridevi’s death tell us about the lifestyle you and I lead “… this coverage just getting worse ! 😳
— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) February 26, 2018
From calling Sridevi a legend yesterday to calling her a bewdi today, Indian media channels sure know how to turn things around in a day.
— Navin Noronha 🌈🐼 (@HouseOfNoronha) February 26, 2018
Oh god … finally an anchor has said it … there was stress between Boney and sridevi … come on 🤦🏼♀️
— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) February 26, 2018
I just hate what you are doing to Sridevi's memory. You rotten bastards.
— Deepak Shenoy (@deepakshenoy) February 27, 2018
Dont know which is a bigger tragerdy. #sridevi passing away or the mad feeding frenzy of it by the media.. heart goes out to boney sahab i hope hes ok 🙏
— Abhishek Kapoor (@Abhishekapoor) February 26, 2018
It's sickening how TV anchors are justifying their tasteless speculation of Sridevi's death by saying it's in the 'public interest'.
There is a difference between the public interest and what the public is interested in.
— Amit Varma (@amitvarma) February 26, 2018
There’s no bottom in the barrel of the graceless.
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) February 26, 2018
Dear Indian news channels, show a little tact. Parasites. #Sridevi
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) February 26, 2018
I always thought that it is the political agendas that degrades the news media in India, but now I’ve realised it’s just sheer lack of ethics.
— Manav somaiya (@manav_somaiya) February 26, 2018
Rotten analysis of #Sridevi ‘s passing away by our disgraceful media. TRP hungry morons. Please let her soul rest and celebrate her contributions, instead of turning this into a media circus.
— Bilal Siddiqi (@BilalS158) February 26, 2018
May they let you rest in peace…. pic.twitter.com/stoWljWkbf
— vidya balan (@vidya_balan) February 26, 2018
ARE YOU FUCKING SHITTING ME?!
H/T @tharunboda#sridevi pic.twitter.com/lJAwbYHx30
— Karnika (@KarnikaKohli) February 26, 2018
Some more important questions.
Such a glorious time to be a journalist btw pic.twitter.com/zbM5gDFGlv
— Karnika (@KarnikaKohli) February 26, 2018
.@abpnewstv – very classy! pic.twitter.com/YZeFxpQDvn
— Karnika (@KarnikaKohli) February 26, 2018
Glad someone is asking tough questions. pic.twitter.com/dvbi9ycU31
— Karnika (@KarnikaKohli) February 26, 2018
One anchor is in "the" bathroom, complete with a wine glass! Wow! Excuse me while I step out to bang my head against a wall. BRB. pic.twitter.com/XTdLNI2ckO
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) February 26, 2018
Sridevi may have died due to Accidental Drowning, but Indian Media should drown voluntarily. Chullu bhar paani mein.
— Aaqib Raza Khan (@aaqibrk) February 26, 2018
And not for the first time, Indian news channels are now forensic experts, doctors and sleuths based on zero hard info . We don't let people live in peace, we won't let them die either! #Sridevi
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 26, 2018
It’s time we replaced TRPs (Television Rating Points) with VRPs (Vulture Rating Points) for at least some TV channels. And yes, #Sridevi Ji, please forgive them their trespasses for they know not what they do. Tragic what we’ve come to! The nadir of shame.
— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) February 27, 2018
There is usually paparazzi prurience and at a higher level should exist real journalism. The manner in which supposedly non-paparazzi news channels covered the tragic death of Sridevi blurred the boundaries. A very low point in Indian journalism.
— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) February 27, 2018
"Not just Sridevi but Television news needs an obituary" @BDUTT on the shameful coverage of Sridevi's death by Indian media #NewsKiMaut https://t.co/UFSBbSA1XV
— SamSays (@samjawed65) February 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/hankypanty/status/968446742772486144
A reporter drowned in a bathtub to enact #Sridevi death. He has survived. There are conflicting reports about journalism. pic.twitter.com/GnRmSuGTiQ
— KAMLESH SINGH / BANA (@kamleshksingh) February 27, 2018
Now that #DubaiPolice has said there is no foul play in #Sridevi’sDeath will the #Media get back to addressing her as an #Iconic & not alcoholic. ? #SubramaniamSwamy should also apologise for calling it a murder.
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) February 27, 2018
Can we please have some stringent rules on what is being shown on tv in form of news and debates by so called news channel.They are worst than some pathetic tv shows.#NewsKiMaut.Please show some sensibility and empathy to the person who died and to his family esp the daughters.
— Minhaaz (@Minhaaz1) February 26, 2018
At times, I feel sad that I'm not able to watch the news on TV. Then I read tweets like the ones sent out regarding #NewsKiMaut and feel happy that I don't.
— Kartik Sethi (@MugglooBaccha21) February 26, 2018
Are you Fucking seriously serious 🙄😡 #NewsKiMaut https://t.co/SOoZgtlH2w
— Sana (@farooquisana) February 26, 2018
A popular parody account on Facebook, Humans Of Hindutva, rightly said on their social media account, “If you’re rich/famous and die in this country, people will blame your diet and scrutinize your lifestyle. If you’re poor and die in this country, people will blame your diet and scrutinize your refrigerator.”
In the end, the entire game is about TRP (Television Rating Points) because that’s what brings money to these channels through advertisement and the only way we can end this massacre is by staying away from this. Falling for sensationalism once will only result in more sensationalism.
Jyotsna Amla