Breaking News: Time for a Break?

It was a fine Sunday morning. Everyone in my family were busy in their routine activities. My beard had grown enough to make me look ugly, so shaving was on a priority. TV, as usual was on a full volume. Suddenly, my sister yelled, as if she was on fire.

Her shout had a huge impact on each one of us present there. I got my cheeks cut while shaving. My grandpa lost his balance, and my mom spilled hot milk on the floor. I immediately rushed to our living room, and to my surprise, it was a silly 'breaking news' that paralyzed my house for a few minutes.

The reaction from my sister was very obvious. Her favorite actor had a stomach upset and was admitted for the same. I was taken aback with this particular news flashing on every news channel, as if it was a national disaster.

Breaking News are sensational and recent news, which may include the death of any leaders, any natural calamity, poll results or victory in sports. The most disappointing thing is, the news channels carry out the pathetic means to increase their TRP ratings, leaving behind the journalism values and ethics and are becoming more entertaining than informative.

Celebrity marriages, star-wars, who is who's current boyfriend/girlfriend? These kinds of news are given precedence over the current affairs across the globe. I am ready for a bet if I come across someone whose life has changed after the Abhishekh-Aishwarya wedding. There are many social issues that are untouched and are never discussed openly. The reason is but natural, the sponsors for child-abuse discussion at Prime time, would always be few compared to a discussion on Salman's latest girlfriend.

When, friends and family members of the daily commuters of the local trains in Mumbai, pray for the safety for their dear ones during the blasts, news channels are busy in flashing the wardrobe malfunction news, with the video clips repeating in every bulletin, during such a crisis.

A soldier at Kargil is more keen to hear news about the flood situation in his village than the Amir Khan-Shahrukh Khan spat. I am neither an expert nor do I deserve to give a word of advice to the news channels. But, as a regular news-watcher, I feel the government should issue some norms for airing the news live. I strongly object the unnecessary importance given to empty-headed, ridiculous, goofy news just for the sake of monetary gains.

My views mentioned above are not regarding all the news channels. Some news channels are really good and reputable. A news reporter is a public representative. I think his primary duty is to carry forward public demands towards the government, and keep a check on every aspect of society that would directly or indirectly affect a common man. The 26/11 attack in Mumbai and its consequences on Indian politics, is a classic example proving the power of media. The anguish minds of people had seen the height of feckless, incompetent, unreliable and unaccountable ministers. The media shouldered the responsibility, and the ministers were left with no alternative other than giving up their chairs.

I am not suggesting that the entertainment news should not be aired, but the priority has to be maintained, and the unnecessary hype created over petty matters, under the pretext of publicity stunt should be ceased.

I am afraid, as we move on, 'Breaking News' will lose its charm, and watching the 'Breaking News' would be a better option to the daily soaps.