who is a journalist?

I squirmed in my chair when I watched the video of a man being burnt alive in front of hundreds of people. Nobody, not even a single soul came forward to stop the man from ending his life in such a bizarre way. But what angered me most was the utter callousness of a journalist who preferred capturing it on his camera rather than taking an active role in saving a human life. It angered me even more when the news channel proudly aired the video again and again as ‘exclusive’.

A few years back, a ----- TV channel also had such a proud exclusive. It was the video of a mentally challenged man drowning a man in a temple tank in a place. The man had gone to bring the insane man, who was threatening to drown himself, back from the water tank. Soon, the area was teeming with people including a smart journalist with his camera, and everyone watched a helpless man struggling inside the water as if they were watching a film shooting. I agree all those who had assembled there had to be blamed for their heartless and uncaring behaviour but the blame should fall more on the man who was more selfish and thought of it as an exclusive for his channel, and the television channel is even more insensitive in airing the ‘story’ as an exclusive from morning till evening.

This incident resulted in a lot of debate and discussion in the country, so also the recent incident that took place in elsewhere.
Another incident that disturbed me a lot in recent times was the insensitive intrusion of television journalists on a man whose wife was raped and murdered. I am referring to the murder of a BPO employee in Bangalore. Television cameras were thrust on to the teary eyed man who had just lost his wife, and in such a sad and traumatic way. He turned his back on the cameras telling them to leave him alone but they did not. They pestered him so much so that he had to face them finally and speak to them “for the sake of other women working in BPOs”.

I asked myself, is this what journalism is all about? Intruding into other people’s lives when they want, and acting insensitively, again when they want? Do you call treating other human beings like objects to be used for a ‘story’; this time, for something called TRPs, responsible journalism? Is a journalist just a passive observer or recorder of events, and not an active, responsible member of the society?

For us journalists, everything is a story.


I was shocked to read what a television journalist wrote in his blog, “I will go to any level to get news to draw TRP rating to my channel. If it involves watching someone burn himself... women being raped or humanity being violated.” Can a conscientious journalist write in this manner about other human beings?

Conscientious! That word brings memories.

Many scoff at me when I say a journalist has to be a human being first; he or she becomes a journalist only after that.

Would lov to hear your views.This post and the rest mark my complete comeback ..Missed you all..

That really reminds of the GEO. I was so glad that it got banned, it always deserved a ban! Its said zillions of times, with power comes responsibility (Spiderman right?)
If someone doesn't want to be responsible for what goes on air, I think they shouldn't be allowed any power either ..

And I really like your statement:
I really can't anything to it other then I totally agree with you!

And oh, welcome back

Geo is back on air again. Regarding Geo, I don't think they follow the basic code of conduct or journalism ethics in their news coverage. All they need is the 'scoop' and they sensationalize it to the limits. When it comes to live news coverage, it's about ratings so verification goes down the drain due to time constraints and pressure. Unfortunately GEO and most of the channels from our subcontinent are merely serving as opinion channels rather than news channels.

The Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics offers the following advice. Quoting directly:

• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort.
• Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
• Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
• Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
• Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to be informed.

Now to the theme of your topic, yes it is grossly inhumane to take pictures of a person committing suicide instead of helping him. And Yunus, it's not just the journalists who are insensitive, it's the majority of our population that takes joy from another's suffering.

you are right, i wonder about that but we also have to understand that journalists also do a good thing, they bring important issues to our awarness. i mean if there werent any journalists how would we know wats going on. and most of the time journalists cant really do anything, eg when it has to do with the govt. i am not saying journalism is perfect, i have issues with it too like when the story is way too biased or when they make their opposition look bad or when they exxagerate