The media has long been considered the fourth pillar of democracy because of its unconditional service to the oppressed masses. It was a tool used to combat corruption and prejudice based on social status.
Our freedom fighters used the press to raise their voices a century ago to create a stir against British rule. However, as time passed, new forms of media emerged, and the media began to become commercialised as technology advanced. It has shifted from being the fourth pillar of democracy to the first pillar of corruption and inequity.
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For the last two decades, Indian journalism has been on a downhill spiral, selling false information, praising excessive noise levels, and outright stating things that make no sense. The media has degraded the quality of India’s public discourse in recent years. The growth of the media has narrowed the public realm and promoted elitist and socially backward values. And it is all because of the hunger of TRP.
This TRP obsession is producing a severe and deadly credibility crisis. The worsening quality of Indian journalism can be evident in various ways, including the rise of TV debates and noisy newsrooms.
Names like Navika Kumar and Arnab Goswami have become synonymous with the abysmal quality of journalism that dominates Indian media. This new breed of journalists has spread its poison and given rise to terrible ignorance and brazen propaganda to make Joseph Goebbels pleased during the previous half-decade.
Here is a list of the worst things said by Indian news anchors:
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1. These ABP News reporters claim to be doing a ‘Post-Mortem’ on a dummy in a live telecast.
WATCH: Meanwhile, some “experts” are carrying out dummy “post-mortems” in the studios of ABP NEWS!! pic.twitter.com/Z5kfPRDmWA
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) August 2, 2020
2. The reporter disguised up as a soldier and received a lot of attention.
When actress Sridevi died they were inside the bathtub, after #Surgicalstrike2 they are dressed as soldiers, you can’t beat news channels in such stupid gimmicks pic.twitter.com/dUlx65Re3u
— Srikanth (@JayaHoIndia) February 26, 2019
3. When Navika Kumar asked Saif Ali Khan to bring Taimur on the screen, Saif was unable to do so since Taimur was busy doing the ‘potty’ at the moment.
Latest on primetime: Taimur is on potty, can’t give flying kiss to Times Now viewers. pic.twitter.com/mM6Kaj6JX5
— Manisha Pande (@MnshaP) March 27, 2020
4. This India Today’s reporter followed Deepika Padukone’s car and repeatedly saying “she was in the black car ahead.”
Earlier today, Deepika Padukone had left for Goa airport to reach Mumbai. The top Bollywood actress has been summoned by the NCB tomorrow.
(@ashokasinghal2)#DrugsProbe #Bollywood #NCB pic.twitter.com/WBVC516V9a
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 24, 2020
5. When demonetisation was going on in the country, Aajtak’s Sweta Singh discussed the GPS chip theory in the Rs 2000 notes on her live broadcast.
She went on to say that as a result, even if the Rs 2000 notes are hidden 120 feet down, they will be easily detected.
‘Journalists’ in AAJ TAK led by Sweta Singh discussing ‘nano technology GPS chip’ in the new #rs2000notes. 😂😂😂 #DeMonetisation #BlackMoney pic.twitter.com/cKvhSSyH3t
— Dr. Prerna Bakshi (@bprerna) November 18, 2016
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6. While reporting on Sridevi’s death, a journalist jumped into a bathtub.
This one has reached Olympic level of stupidity – reporting from a bathtub. #Sridevi pic.twitter.com/31S3SrjYue
— Neelu 🐼 (@DrNeelakshiG) February 27, 2018
7. While following Rhea Chakraborty in a car, this reporter from Republic TV yelled “Oh f**k m*darch*d” on live TV.
LIVE Reporting-
इतिहास में मीडिया का यह दौर याद रखा जाएगा। pic.twitter.com/DI8Ytq4F6D— Narendra nath mishra (@iamnarendranath) September 4, 2020
8. When Navika Kumar asked a panellist to talk about Rhea Chakraborty instead of discussing India’s GDP, she also yelled at the panellist and said, “stop wasting the nation’s time.”
#RheaLieCaughtOut | @TehseenP, Political Analyst dodges Navika Kumar’s question on SSR case instead speaks on India’s GDP rate. | @thenewshour pic.twitter.com/7pkl1RopXn
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 31, 2020
9. When Rahul Kanwal claimed to be deep in the forests of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, he claimed to be part of an anti-Naxal operation. It had all been a ruse.
As Naxal infested Bastar goes to the polls, #JabWeMet profiles India’s anti-Naxal forces. See what are the kind of challenges the CRPF’s Cobra commandos need to deal with in their battle against Naxal terrorists. https://t.co/fojVv45dOy
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) November 12, 2018
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10. When Arnab Goswami screamed in a live telecast, “Drugs do, Mujhe drugs do!” he became a famous meme material.
Arnab is asking for drugs on national TV 😂😂#drugsdebate pic.twitter.com/RrKX6pkK61
— Ajitk0230 (@BoReD_GuY_0) September 25, 2020
11. Rihanna was labelled as a “Congress Neta” by Republic TV after she tweeted about farmer protests.
Republic TV is on another level 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/RHo4OQBD79
— Saharsh (@whysaharsh) February 3, 2021
12. Based on a fraudulent WhatsApp forward, Times Now anchors Rahul Shivshankar & Navika Kumar read out the names of 30 Chinese troops killed by the Indian Army.
This is how @TimesNow anchors @navikakumar and @RShivshankar read out names of 30 Chinese Soldiers after they received a fake WhatsApp forward. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/j9wNppj0X3
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) June 17, 2020
13. After reportedly being assaulted by Congress workers, Arnab Goswami labelled Sonia Gandhi ” the greatest coward in this country.”
He also called Sonia Gandhi by her real name, “Antonio Maino,” to assert her Italian identity.
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#BREAKING | Arnab’s message after being physically attacked by Congress goons #SoniaGoonsAttackArnab https://t.co/RZHKU3fdmK pic.twitter.com/SdAvoerhIH
— Republic (@republic) April 22, 2020
14. When Navika Kumar asked Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra if he had a girlfriend, the video labelled “Good News For Girls.”
#Exclusive BIG REVELATION by Neeraj Chopra | Good news for girls!
No, I don’t have any girlfriend. My only focus as of now is sports: #Olympics #Gold medalist #NeerajChopra, tells Navika Kumar. | #TokyoOlympics #NeerajOnTimesNowNavbharat pic.twitter.com/QRGvmVVeWT
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 10, 2021
15. When Sudarshan News’ Suresh Chavhanke claimed the existence of UPSC Jihad, claiming that Indian Muslims were plotting to infiltrate the civil service.
[Breaking] Delhi HC issues notice in petition against Centre’s nod to Sudarshan TV show on “UPSC Jihad”; No stay on broadcast https://t.co/zmFrV79q67
— Umashankar Singh उमाशंकर सिंह (@umashankarsingh) September 11, 2020
I feel sick!
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Also read: 6 Highest Paid News Anchors In India
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