Let’s Talk Sensationalism2 min read

Sensationalism – A wise man once told me that the quality of news aired in different countries reflects the general attitude their society has towards one another.

An aspiring journalist is taught from the beginning of their course that the role of the media is that of the fourth estate – to bring the truth hidden by the few into the light

for the many.

So when the tragic news of Bollywood Icon Sridevi was revealed on Saturday Night in Dubai, many were angry by the way Indian media handled the news of her passing.

Initially thought to be from a heart attack, many Indian news channels speculated that catalyst of her demise was an over usage of steroids and fat burner pills as well as cosmetic surgery.

A panel of “experts” – mostly failed actors and cosmetic surgeons – appeared on multiple stations to mouth all sorts of rubbish without any knowledge of the facts.

The Dubai authorities revealed later on twitter that the 54-year-old died of accidental drowning in a bathtub with traces of alcohol found in her body.

The media later flipped this revelation around to blame Sridevi for excessive alcoholism rather than knowing the full story.

To top off the stupidity, one of India’s most viewed News channels put its hosts next to a big white tub with the phrase “Maut ka Bathtub” or “Bathtub of Death” written on it.

Being this insensitive to a matter that has the whole country upset shouldn’t be an option in the world we live in today.

There are rules and regulations that the media must abide by no matter the case and it should be followed otherwise updated to modern standards.

The type of content churned out from these outlets are for ratings, not distribution of news stories.

We need to leave the gossip and glamour to MTV, E! and TMZ rather than let it be a part of mainstream news.

No one will respect you, nor take you seriously if you use wacky transitions and dramatic music to report sensitive information.

It’s time for change in the Indian press, for the better of all of us.

This type of reporting is the reason for extremism as well as a herd mentality in the country and must be stopped.

Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov on Unsplash