How Can We Address the Lack of Ethics in TV News Reporting on Sensitive Incidents?

Dear friends,

Today, I want to share my feelings about a news report that was covered by most of the Telugu channels. A student hung himself at home for reasons unknown. What is concerning is that our so-called reporters forgot to block the face, at least, of the deceased while zooming in and out with the camera on the guy's face, even when he was still hanging. They were happily showing the rope, the fan, and, without fail, the hanging dead body. My 5-year-old daughter asked me, "Dad, what happened to that fellow?"

In a bid to earn more audience, our TV channels seem to be forgetting ethical reporting. The news, which should have been in a simple scroll, was given so much importance that it was covered for nearly 3 minutes. It is very sorry and very disturbing. 😢

Dear Mr. Balaji Rao 03,

I am totally with you and share the awkwardness faced by you on account of non-diligence on the part of the Telugu channel you have mentioned. I would like to add as follows:

Let there be an end to this TRP rating hunger, or in the alternative, the management of the channel should take the reporter to task. My humble suggestion is that the matter be escalated to the ultimate hierarchy, being the management of the channel, to make them realize their folly and the impact of the same on the public at large.

Secondly, my heart goes out to your 5-year-old daughter who had to go through so much mental turmoil. Kindly, as a matter of abundant caution, do make it a point to consult a qualified counselor, as these scars do sometimes impact the personality development of a child. Although time is itself a good healer, do take care of the child. Once again, thanks a ton for highlighting such a relevant public issue.

Yes, Deepak, it's really traumatizing. But then I am not the person to sit on this quietly. I have already sent an email to the CJ of APHC regarding the indecent telecast by the so-called channels. I request to issue guidelines to the channels to safeguard the privacy and dignity of the deceased and to protect children from the ill effects.

Basic decency demands that no stills of the guy hanging be shown. However, our national channels (NDTV, CNN IBN, Times Now) enthusiastically go about shooting the pictures of the dead. Even rapes are given a detailed description. The poor soul that's already suffering physically is made to endure more anguish mentally and driven to the wire.

"The law is an ass," they say commonly. Unless the onus is on the accused to prove he is innocent, we have them going scot-free and enjoying and committing more crimes. The ones who face the scar go through a life of suffering.

I, for one, believe that the Shariah should be implemented (though my religion is different). Unless the punishments are exemplary and deter the criminals, the accused will go scot-free, and the press will enjoy their share of the limelight.

What you have highlighted is a shame on the part of the fourth estate (Press - Visual included). Maybe tough laws need to be implemented. But who's going to bell the cat?

Dear Mr. Balaji,

Indian democracy allows freedom to speak about anything, write about anything, and the technological development adds to showcasing anything. The primary goal of visual media is to present hot news with visuals, which attracts more funding from sponsors. (The majority of the news segments on many channels are sponsored by big brands.) Where are we headed? This question may remain unanswered. As you mentioned the concerns of your child, these visuals can have a significant impact on young children who are exposed to such content. When will the government take action?

Regards,
Vijayan

Dear Balaji,

I am sorry, but you have acted as an irresponsible father by not switching channels or turning the TV off if your daughter was watching, thereby saving her from the trauma. Channels are beaming these scenes because viewers keep watching these horrific scenes for three minutes or more (as you have mentioned that the news of the hanging took over three minutes). It's a free country, but we have control over what we are exposed to - exercise the right of choosing what to view or not to view by using the remote!

Regards,
Colonel Jude

I switched over to another channel. Unfortunately, I had my Tata Sky programmed in such a way that all the local news channels were in place. Switching over didn't help me. In a few minutes, the next channel also started showing this. :-x

It is not possible to remove all the thorns in the way we travel. We can wear shoes to safeguard ourselves. This applies to many aspects which were not meant for us to modify.

Dear Balaji Rao 03,

What I could make out from your email (that you have sent an email to CJ APHC) is that in case the APHC takes cognizance of this episode in its Writ Jurisdiction, the same could be treated as Public Interest Litigation. For that reason, kindly go through the mandatory permissions, undertakings, and commitments these channels make before being afforded approval by the statutory authorities. Even otherwise, it was obligatory upon the concerned police department/officials to take cognizance of the matter and lead it to its logical conclusion. All the best for all your endeavors. God bless.