Jhankar is zindagi ki

Kahaaniyan aur kisse...


Thursday, January 14, 2010

Don't sell tears... Become sensitive

I know it would be some sort of an irony if I say that the field of media is the sickest place and yet work in one. Here I get a first-hand account of the "credit" aspect that has seeped in the system... How ofter have you heard the sentences " We broke the story " or " You heard it first on XYZ channel." Quite often, isnt it...
But everyone here has turned insensitive to such an extent that they dont even bother to see the situation, the scenario... sensitive cases such as, rape cases, demand sensitivity. But shockingly, the very people who promise to fetch justice for a rape victim, turn insensitive to her. They are bothered about taking credit for telling the world that "we broke it first"... rather that turn a sensitive ear towards her...
When she , or someone in a similar position, breaks down on national TV, the channel never fails to shout aloud that "XYZ broke down ( cried ) on our channel." Truly, tears sell... and that's the reason why TV is such a hit today...

An example to support my view... Today, on Jan 14 ( Makar Sankranti ), an "alleged gangrape victim" ( I am taught to be politically correct, that's y 'alleged' ) came out of the studio after narrating a horrendous account about how she was gangraped by an MLA and some of his goons for full 15 days. The girl broke down, she was crying ( she did look like the "victim" and not an " alleged victim" ). The studio persons come out, our senior lends her a shoulder. The moment she leaves the place a cameraperson was smiling.. I hit him with my elbow for smiling... To which he replied " अरे, हम तो ये सोच रहे थे की कैमरा ले आयें बहार और शूट कर लें" .... The sentence struck me hard... but only after a while... Why after a while ? Well, because it seems even I have learned the tricks of the trade.. as my reply was... " हां.... वो तो है, सही रहता ... "

I was shocked at what I had just said... I believe the saying " कोयले की दलाली में हाथ तो काले होते ही हैं "... is true... Coz, that is what has happened...

I have always said that I am part of a profession to whose ideals I dont  connect, I never agree. I stand by this statement...

And another one -- Just when we were to wind up the bulletin, the victim said that she will burn herself and her child alive if she does not get justice. We were then instructed to say ... " The victim has said first on XYZ channel that she will commit suicide if she does not get justice."

Is that all we are bothered about? Is that what the people are bothered about... I am sure the audience does not care who broke the story, or where did they "heard it first. " Then why does the media wear these superficial, illusionary spectacles ?

We see people crying, but how many of us actually feel the pain... All of 22, and the girl is fighting a system which has never yielded to the helpless... The victims are vicitmized till they are dead... and later, their families. It is a bad world out there... You have to stand up for yourself and not let the powerful force you down...

However, saying this is easy, but to follow it needs pluck and guts....

But for now... I hate this profession...

2 comments:

  1. Absolute tragedy ! that's what I can name this situation,,,where somebody is fighting amongst herself,,, or can say ,,, its a fight b/w Humanity and Surival (Professionalism)... BUT ATLEAST,,, it brought some positive actions (a sympathised thought for that victim),,, its enough for now!

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  2. After reading this post my eyes are wet... You are absolutely right Anamica that " कोयले की दलाली में हाथ तो काले होते ही हैं "... I hate this profession now...

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