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METRO FORUM

Media menace

In these competitive times, the media has of late come under severe criticism from various quarters for its sensational coverage of the high-profile Arushi Talwar murder case.

Certain sections of the media have come under fire for their biased and unethical reporting in the case.

Even as this debate rages on, MetroPlus asked city residents whether the media was intruding the private life of individuals.

Many respondents felt that of late, in an attempt to gain one-upmanship on the competition, media channels make attempts to hype up events. They felt that though the media had played a pro-active role in getting justice delivered in cases like the Jessica Lal murder, more than often they have abused their rights. A significant number of respondents felt that the media was also biased in the coverage of such incidents and focused only on the elite classes, while completely ignoring cases in the hinterland. Many felt that such sensationalism would damage the credibility of the entire industry in the long run. Some felt that television channels and newspapers seem to resemble soaps rather than provide news to the denizens. We sample some of the responses

The media has become very intrusive of late. Their coverage of a number of high-profile cases and the manner in which some television channels carried out a character assassination of a young girl was unacceptable. The media should follow some rules.

The media has gone overboard in many such cases. I guess the recent spurt in the number of television channels is responsible for sensationalising events. It is also biased in many ways. Even in the Arushi case, the murder of the servant is never mentioned.

Aravind
IT professional

The media should be governed by certain laws, which prevent it from hyping up random incidents.

It is a shame that the channels manage to formulate their own theories. The media should aid in development of society, not wreck it.

Shalu
Software engineer

Media coverage of crime and violence have been aimed at spicing up the event further, than providing information. The depiction of violence, sleaze and crimes should be minimised, as it is viewed by young children and may effect them negatively.

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