Celebrity nonsense

by Manish Anand

Television Channels engaged their airvaves on scuffle between media and security personnel of Amir Khan, who recently married his girlfriend Kiran Rao after divorcing his first wife with whom he had two children. Media wanted to cover the event as supposedly many of their viewers wanted to see Amir wedding second time. 


A day earlier the newly launched News Channel CNN– IBN devoted half an hour to know why there is so much frenzy to cover celebrities. Rajdeep Sardesai could be forgiven for the drab show as his wont is sheer enthusiasm, akin to that of an activist, but misses out on substance and engages in verbal juggelary.


Celebrities make their livings through their public image and work in the public domain. They are sold out to the mass. And that too with their own choice. So, all of a sudden if they decide they want privacy, they make themselves a public relations headache. For them it is accolades yes, but bricbates, no!


It’s easy to throw blame on viewers for the celebrity frenzy, which basically gives cover to the inefficiency of the media organisation. NDTV brought Amir Khan for its special show after the marriage, ostensibly to score points over its competitors. It had also brough Abhishek Bachhan and Rani Mukhrji to present news to viewers. It also ran many an episode showing celebrities interacting with army personnel. Anything to do with a news channel ?


Viewers react with much angst when they are dished out entertainmnet shows in news channels, and finger runs swiftly on remote. It brings to mind what a bureaucrat said recently as he snubbed a news channel correspondent, saying first become what BBC is today then come to discuss national security issues. And you will take another 100-year to reach the position where BBC is now, he quipped.


Where is research in TV news programme? Where is any substantial findings or investigation apart from the sensationa stuffs like catching people on camera having sex or taking bribe or indulging in malpractices. Inform you must, but you have also to raise the level of understanding and awareness!


Ironically, newspapers, too, across the board have fallen into the trap of entertainment, which depicts a sorry picture of Indian journalism. Corporate culture has taken Indian journalism to the dismal state, which needs to be debated and understood.


There is no justification on the part of scribes at the recieving end at the hands of the security personnel of Amir Khan to say that they were doing genuine journalistic stuffs and accused should be penalised.

The incident was of their own makings, and they should not shield themselves with general public who have nothing to do with whom Amir Khan marries and sleeps.