Misleading & Cheap Journalism by Times of India!

Thursday, 17 March 2011 16:25

Written by Syed Amaan Ahmad

Internet has altered the world and also, it has changed the way people think in many ways. Moreover, we became net-addicts. Whatever we need, we Google it or we just go to various sites. Now, the so-called dominating websites/organizations are relishing the taste of monopoly. There is none above them and public concerns are inevitably disregarded and spurned.

Recently, we have seen that Times of India is publishing very cheap and misleading headlines. As we all know, media plays a very crucial role in our lives but when they mislead us, we get totally perplexed. Moreover, most of the channels and newspapers publish paid news, and we all know that whatever comes to us is not what precisely exists. The truth is lost somewhere and we believe what we see, read and what we are shown!

Now, the cheap journalism by The Times of India is at its peak! It is indeed very sad to read the cheapest headlines by one of the so-called leading newspapers. Why do they do this? The only reason is to get the “hits”. The more hits they get, the more ads they receive and then, the money flows. Even media can stoop so low for money and it is right here, in front of everyone. Media is considered as the head of everything but when something they do, who will question them? And even if they do, what will happen? NOTHING!

The Times of India is busy making money and yes, not only TOI but almost all the newspapers, channels, mediums are commercialized. The internet has given them more options of making money via ads, clicks, etc; and they are finding various cheap ways since their loathsome greed is insatiable and they are feeding on people’s susceptibility.

In today’s news, I came across one of the cheapest and worst headlines: “Mumbai restaurants feel quake aftershocks” by Bella Jaisinghani. Now, what does this depict? It obviously will make any layman think that Tsunami could hit Mumbai or Mumbai has felt the aftershocks, as in the ripples, etc. Moreover, the article begins like this “MUMBAI: On Wednesday, as news arrived of irradiated water flowing through taps in Japan, a wave of anxiety swept certain quarters of Mumbai. The Killer 9 earthquake, whose epicenter lay 7,000-odd kms away in Fukushima, is having a ripple effect on the city's hospitality industry. Fine dining restaurants that serve Japanese cuisine and import raw material from there are already starting to feel the heat of the disaster.”

Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Mumbai-restaurants-feel-quake-aftershocks/articleshow/7723319.cms

But the aforementioned article actually is about the “Sea-food business”. The readers have shown concerns against the headlines but as usual, nothing will happen. Some of the comments:

Venka (Ahmedabad ): Totally misleading. It is incredible how we can so undignified when people at Japan are suffering. Instead of empathising with this colossal disaster, TOI attempts to lure readers by giving such inappropriate headlines. Come on TOI, you are already the No.1 read newspaper and there is no need for you to be so cheap. Standup and show the world your dignity.
Suresh (Mangalore) : Please rename your newspaper and website..you are spoiling the name of the country with this type of journalism...
sk (ind): TOI, please go back and start your studies from KG classes, The heading and the story is no where related to each other

Last week, there was another cheap headline: “Amir, Rani Caught inside a Bunglow” by Afsana Ahmed.

Link:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-07/news-interviews/28659679_1_reema-kagti-suspense-drama-aamir-khan

And now, the article was about “the shooting of a new film”. Some of the comments:

Anthony D'Souza (Mumbai): The title of the article indicates how the reporter's dirty mind is working overtime.
yash (lucknow): Times of India lately you have become a cheap,sensational and propagandist newspaper with news lacking facts and credibility. Please improve before its too late.
Vinod (Bangalore): very very cheap title. TOI is in need of only hits not content...

And, here are some other cheap, misleading, and unnecessary headlines by the so-called most-read TOI:

Ø Couples caught in compromising position by Nishant Sinha.

Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Couples-caught-in-compromising-position/articleshow/7720958.cms

Ø Vidya's boyfriend wants Ash by Meena Iyer.

Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Vidyas-boyfriend-wants-Ash/articleshow/7717782.cms

Times of India and their journos are really stooping very low for a couple of bucks or whatsoever. Wonder if the head of TOI will take necessary steps in order to give us appropriate headlines and news content.

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Comments

0 #2 Example 2011-12-31 06:50

Another recent example:

The headline says, "Sachin Tendulkar is just another batsman, says Siddle".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-australia/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-is-just-another-batsman-says-Siddle/articleshow/11301860.cms

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0 #1 2011-03-17 20:19

Journalism is indeed taking a downturn...but there seems to be some hope with alert people like you...this trend needs to be curbed or we will have a new generation feeding on false news :(

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