News Breaking

India’s most popular domestic help, goes by the name Hemraj and after the past couple of months, prospective parents may think twice before naming their daughter Arushi. Why is this isolated incident so irrationally popular? Why do most Indians know more of the crores in the Parliament than the Nuclear Deal itself?

The media thrives on sensationalism! So what? As kids we hold the idealistic opinion that the media is a responsible, morally dedicated, justice pursuing and delivering, timeless being. Then, we grow up. And as we taste the sweet joys of demanding democracy, we realize that like everything else in this country, the honourable media too, is governed by the same laws of democracy. And once we make that realization, democracy doesn’t seem so sweet.

If every television channel at 2 pm showcases hilariously evil plotting between daughters and mother in-laws, it is only because, at 2pm, daughters in Indian homes wish to see scheming against their in-laws. If homicide in Noida gets more airtime than the Jaipur blasts, it is because you and I want it to.

The media is responsible. It doesn’t engage in yellow journalism. The media is dedicated. It ticks 24*7. The media pursues justice. Think Jessica Lal. And the media thrives on sensationalism because it is a spokesperson ‘of the people’ and ‘for the people’. So, technically, it commits no vice in presenting the news or ethically dubious entertainment.

A popular track of a Hindi song, ‘hum tum ek kamrey me bandh ho aur chabi kho jai,’ from the blockbuster, Bobby plays as you see a huge lion, amble lazily into a room and sit beside Dear Lioness on a sofa. A loud voice-over goads the lion to pay more attention to his beloved (think lioness). Well, I am watching Aaj Tak, one of the many 24-hour news channels. “Wait! don’t go anywhere”, announces the presenter with all seriousness, “there’s more...you would be amazed”, she assures. If one is amused, it’s because of the crassness and unimaginative presentation of a could be interesting animal clip. I spoke of Aaj Tak. I needn’t speak of India TV or IBN-7 among others. As students of commerce you might say that a rat-race for TRP’s is only realistic and necessary. All I can say to that, is that the sad thing about rat races is that, even if you win, you’re still a rat.

- Abhinav Nayar