The unfortunate passing away of Sushant Singh Rajput has brought out the worst of Indian mainstream media. Their coverage was on expected lines – insensitive and crass. Over the years social media has emerged as an antidote to the pathetic journalism of the mainstream media, however, the fact that the photos of Sushant’s body was gleefully circulated across social media proves that social media is fast becoming another mainstream media.
Through their coverage of Sushant’s untimely demise, the mainstream media yet again discovered new lows of journalism. AajTak led the way by not allowing Sushant’s grieving father some space who lives in Patna, as their reporter repeatedly shoved the mic in his face. Reportedly, his father also fainted because of the shock. The channel also ran distasteful headlines like “How did Sushant get hit wicket?” and also reported the colour of the cloth through which Sushant hanged himself. AajTak showed the images and videos of Sushant’s family members- father, uncle, sisters- weeping in order to remain “sabse tej”.
Sushant Singh Rajput – May he
Rest In Peace, is not the only one who died today. Journalism of some news
channels died as well. Shame on you @aajtak @ZeeNews. 😡 #SushantSinghRajput #InsensitiveMedia pic.twitter.com/8fRIxqldbC— Vishal Pokarne ❁ 🇮🇳 (@the_jakeperalta) June 14, 2020
Zee News wasted no time in peddling conspiracy theories as the anchors asked, “Patna ka Sushant Mumbai me fail Kyon” (Why Patna’s Sushant failed in Mumbai) and “Filmon ka Dhoni asal zindagi mein out kaise” (How can the reel life Dhoni got out in real life?)
Let’s face it, we all have seen the gut wrenching images of Sushant’s lifeless body as the images spread like wildfire on social media. The images are a great disservice to Sushant Singh Rajput and his family. No sooner did the images go viral, did the conspiracy theories started floating.
Suddenly a section of social media users became doctors and started peddling theories about how it is a murder as the shape on his neck is a clear sign of murder and even his one eye is open and what not. It was absolutely distasteful to see social media indulging in rumour mongering and fantasizing and not celebrating Sushant and his work.
When a living person hangs himself, a V shape is formed on his neck. But looking at the neck of Sushant Singh Rajput, it does not seem that there was a V shape on it, rather it looked like O shape.
— Dhruv sharma (@dhruvsharmaits1) June 15, 2020
#Killedorsuicide There is some confusion regarding sushant Singh rajput killed or attempt suicide because when someone hang himself V shape occurs on his neck but I can see on Sushant Singh body there is a circle shape on his neck @MumbaiPolice
— Ashish singh (@Ashishs15594928) June 15, 2020
It is beyond me to comprehend how can one circulate such pictures and also indulge in peddling conspiracy theories. What was the rush to not even wait for the autopsy report? The autopsy report came out earlier today which revealed that Sushant indeed committed suicide.
The same people who take unexplainable joy in trolling and shaming others were now posting about the importance of mental health and how their “doors are always opened” if someone wanted to discuss their issues.
Social Media just like the mainstream media is riddled with hypocrisy and showed how it’s hungry for sensationalism. As Sushant’s pics spread unabated, Maharashtra cyber was forced to issue a warning. “A disturbing trend has been observed on Social Media platforms by Maharashtra Cyber that pictures of deceased actor Shri. Sushant Singh Rajput are being circulated, which are disturbing and in bad taste. It is emphasised that circulation of such pictures is against legal guidelines and court directions, and are liable to invite legal action,” tweeted Maharashtra cyber cell.
A disturbing trend has been observed on Social Media platforms by Maharashtra Cyber that pictures of deceased actor Shri. Sushant Singh Rajput are being circulated, which are disturbing and in bad taste. (1/n)
— Maharashtra Cyber (@MahaCyber1) June 14, 2020
It is emphasised that circulation of such pictures is against legal guidelines and court directions, and are liable to invite legal action. ⁰(2/n)
— Maharashtra Cyber (@MahaCyber1) June 14, 2020
Whoever has peddled his last pics and conspiracy theories have done a great disservice to Sushant Singh Rajput. It seems Social Media hasn’t learnt it lessons from the death of Rishi Kapoor where even his last moments in a hospital were spread unabashedly. In the absence of common sense and sensitivity, social media will end up becoming the mirror image of mainstream media.