Justice Or TRP

Sunday, 25 May 2008 13:47

Written by Anshul

We love crime, we love criminals even more and above all we love to see others falling flat on their faces.

A little girl was murdered in her home. Media was quick to pronounce the man-servant Hemraj guilty, since he was missing since the death. Mysteriously, the next day, a retired cop found the body of the servant on the roof of the household. A parallel investigation was immediately launched and we had teams of Sherlocks and Watsons from each channel storming the Talwar household. Suddenly from nowhere we had forensic experts, crime investigators storming our living rooms with their comments. When the body of Hemraj was found, the search for a new scapegoat started. From Aroushi's uncle to her mother and father - no one was spared. Police were blamed and administration was accused. In this maelstorm of accusations and counter accusations, a few cops were transferred.

Each and every neighbor of the Talwar family was interviewed. The bai of the household became hot property. India TV treated her as if she was the key to whole investigation. Even when she claimed that she had not even once talked to the little gal, the anchor on the channel kept asking her "Aroushi kya bolti thi? Usne kabhi tumse ghar ke bare mein baat ki ?", just to stretch 10 minutes 'investigation' to half an hour.

We had psychologists commenting on body behavior, eye contacts and the language of Durani and Talwar families. And when Dr. Rajesh Talwar was declared as suspect and arrested by Noida police, the media was quick to pronounce him as the convict and not as suspect, forgetting the basic foundation of law - that you are considered innocent until proven guilty.

The mother came out with a statement that the servant was a father figure to her daughter and that her husband can't kill her daughter. The media immediately treated her statement as an eyewash accusing her of acting more like a wife than a mother who has lost her child. What do we expect from a woman who has just lost her daughter and whose husband has been charged with murder of the daughter?

Sitting in our living rooms, we try to tie up all the loose ends treating the whole situation like a TV drama, which should end in the way we want it to end. Is life so simple? Please let this case not become a living room soap opera. This is a case in which a family has lost a daughter, a relationship has been maligned, a woman has been left without family and another woman's reputation has been tarnished. A little girl was murdered, but instead of realizing the gravity of the situation we have sensationalized the whole issue, even to the extent on speculating about the dead girl's character.

The news media in India is engaged in one-upmanship and what drives them is TRP's, not the pursuit of justice. They have announced theie verdict even before the trial has started.

Comments (8)

ragamuffin: ...

Very true. Lets for once show some sensitivity towards a family that has lost everything!

1

May 25, 2008

Shruti: ...

Subtlety and ethical behaviour are not things we associate with the Indian media! It will be a terrible sitution if the father is not guilty after all!

I fail to understand how crap news channels (no words better!) like Aaj Tak continue to get airtime!

2

May 25, 2008

derebail2008: Good Media investigation

Otherwise Arushi's murder would have been buried under the carpet. Congrats Media is alive, only con is that character assasination of the Arushi should have been avoided even assuming for a distant possibility of relationship.

3

May 25, 2008

varun_manipal: ...

Very true.... this case has really become more of a soap than a real investigation.
I agree that the media is doing a good job covering the entire proceedings... but the police should have enough rights with them to kick away media from places where they should not come.

It seems like the decision and proceedings are being caried under extreme pressure. Let the justice wins.. amen

4

May 26, 2008

sandhya: Justice or TRP

Im sure Arushis' and Hemraj"s soul will have no peace . In their desperate efforts to increase their TRPs, the media is willing to go to any lengths, never mind if a small girls name is malingned and soiled, and her reputation torn to shreds.The police too under pressure is giving baseless statements to the press with great authenticity. Why sensationalize the issue like this, cant the media be a ligtht more discreet, and spare a thought for the deceased ?

5

May 26, 2008

sreehari: Maybe Media Has Become ...

Denouncing bias in the media has become a dumb instrument. The cases keep coming. The charges keep flying. Often the subject--journalism--disappears.

6

May 30, 2008

Sudha S. Wariar: ...

I wish people stop looking at this a soap. I hope the investigators get to the bottom of the problem and publish in the eyes of public so that everybody learns their required lessons. Please we all have grown up daughters, sisters or even nieces who can be another Aroushi. So are we making any mistakes as of now with them ?

7

June 16, 2008

vanita maharana: very badddddd........

I doont know the media is right or wrong but what i know is that whatever has happened with that little is an eye opener to all of us. I request the people to pray for the little girl.May her soul rest in peace

8

June 19, 2008

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