While Indian political leaders were humiliating Indian media by calling them such as #Bazaru, #presstitutes and #Suparijournalists, addition to these #GoHomeIndianMedia trending in Nepal on Twitter also lose the credibility of this section of media. These news traders are losing their credibility day by day. They work like PR agency to publicity mongers. This is high time, Indian media should introspect itself where they went wrong. Politicians are using social media to slamming mainstream media if they report about their fabricated news. People are losing faith in journalism. As a grief-stricken people in Nepal also took to social media in droves to complain what they called as the Indian media’s “oblivious” coverage of the worst earthquake to hit the Himalayan nation in 80 years. The criticism ironically came on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day. The negative reactions in the social media have drawn comments that the Indian media coverage was “largely responsible” for how the rest of the world saw the Nepal tragedy and even influencing global response. People in Nepal were so much fed-up with Indian journalists finally they asked them to get out of their country.
Media have caused humiliation to the Indian Army and other relief workers who were doing a commendable job. Indian electronic media for ‘sensation’ brought shame for the country. It chiefly caters to semi-literate neo middle class that sees news with prejudice and conspiracy theory without caring for in-depth analysis. The whole Indian media reported like it as they are reporting from the battle field. The focus was on praising Indian aid instead of the ground problems. Indian media is still not matured. While grateful for the aid and help in rescue efforts, some sections of the media were panned on the social media for pitching the tragedy as a “public relations exercise” for the Indian government.
Moreover, many private media house journalists took trips in military helicopters which were supplying vital ingredients. The government and its military top brass have no explanation to offer. These parasites have damaged the nation’s image for their own commercial greed. Nepal had strained relations with India from many decades due to the ineptness of the Congress regime. Now, when the government tries to mend fences in a genuine way through vital aid for the hard hit, the media makes a mockery of the predicament. Nepal should throw out all Indian media personnel. Anyone refusing or arguing should be arrested and imprisoned. As well, it is time to switch off the TV sets and teach the media houses how to behave.
Another aspect of poor journalism is to ask questions like “how many people died in the family, and how do you feel losing your family? News channels are always looking out for spicy information. It is disgusting to see these channels showing repeatedly suffering families, crying relatives and asking personal questions. These journalists have not properly trained in such sensitive reporting. For them, melodrama sales are their notion. They don’t care about the mind set of people who are traumatized. Besides, every channel was claiming that they are the first who are sending these pictures of devastation, just to raise TRP. Contrary to this, BBC and CNN journalist travel deeper in the remote areas and their write ups which show the reality of devastation. These Media houses brought disgrace to the country that has really provided abundant relief material to Nepal earthquake victims, and India’s contribution has been recognized internationally.
The day, Modi supporters started trending #ThankYouPM, I personally felt disgusting. He has not given any relief to Nepal from his own pocket or earning. Its people’s money, and on behalf of our country if he has rendered support why so much praises for him? The hype by Indian Media to boost the image of Modi and BJP is not new. However, the chauvinism by Indian Media was very much visible in all their reporting about the Nepal tragedy. This was absolutely unwarranted. Before the last Parliament elections, certain leading media were running a virtual campaigning for BJP. After the election, the media were running an image boosting for Modi, by following his pleasure jaunt abroad and within the country. Some channels were scrolling the Modi’s activities incessantly, setting aside other important events/incidents. Even now in panel discussions, these channels are biased as in most of the discussions, more than one member of BJP is included and maximum time slots are allotted to BJP members. At times, to deny equal opportunity non-BJP panelists, the BJP panelists interfere while other panelists speak. On the whole, the channel promotes the interests of BJP lavishly forgetting the ethics of journalism.
God knows, where these media are going to lead this society and country? These politicians are using media as promotion tool and PR agents, whereas media is making mockery of themselves. They are running after extra perk and good will from the ruling government. While covering such brutal incidences, media goes so thick skinned, they even forget human emotions and bargaining for TRP. Media barons needs to learn and adopt simplicity and basic human tendency. I hope, we will learn something from this boycott incidence in Nepal.
Being part of this fraternity, my apologies to the Nepalese for the irrelevant reporting by the Indian media, which is the cause of concern in India and abroad.
