By Ranjona Banerji
The image from yesterday, June 15, 2023, is from the cyclone Biparjoy when it hit the coast of Gujarat. No, not landfall or local damage or strong winds or stormy seas.
Instead for the media, it is this amazing coverage of the cyclone – before landfall – by TV person Sweta Singh for Republic Bharat.
A large screen in the studio shows a stormy coast. Singh enters the studio with an umbrella and then does a talented umbrella dance. She turns and twists as if she really feels the wind in the video playing behind her. The storm itself, say factcheckers, is from Florida.
Sweta from @Republic_Bharat reporting live from Dwarka, Gujarat. Hope she's safe. #CycloneBiparjoyUpdate pic.twitter.com/rolXX5Pz4b
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) June 14, 2023
Some people have proposed that a video of a somewhat more intrepid TV reporter from Pakistan beats this. Especially since he jumps into sea to prove how deep it is. But that TV reporter was actually out in the storm. This TV person has combined acting with “coverage” in the most award-winning way possible.
If these were the videos of the day, the news of the day was far, far worse. But you may have to take my word for it. Dancing TV personalities with their colourful parasols are not that interested in these other subjects.
Manipur continues to burn. It started over six weeks ago and shows no sign of stopping. What possible dance can one do, when arson and violences continues. Although I would put nothing past our TV people. But as we know, anything that might show our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bad light is best ignored.
Thus, this happens and it is not the story of the day:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/jun/16/manipur-violence-union-minister-rk-ranjan-singhs-house-set-on-fire-in-imphal-2585620.html
That is, a Union minister’s house is attacked by petrol bombs. There were 22 security personnel on duty who say they were overwhelmed by the mob. Unless we acknowledge that something continues to be wrong, there will be no solution. The question though is, does this government want a solution? It is very good at pointing fingers at others and ignoring its own mistakes. The mainstream media has consistently been party to this tactic and so far, it shows little sign of change.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2023/jun/16/manipur-looks-for-structural-adjustments-2585416.html
If you have watched any prim time debates on our top TV channels or any news coverage countering Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s claim that Modi’s “exemplary leadership” has “unleashed the true potential of North Eastern States” in light of the unrest in Manipur, do let me know (see screenshot).
And then, the very slow action by the Delhi Police on complaints by India’s wrestlers that they were sexually abused by Wrestling Federation chief and BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Singh. The Delhi Police only acted after the Supreme Court intervened. The mainstream media ignored the public protests or vilified the wrestlers. The Delhi Police wants to withdraw the POCSO case against Singh because that is the most damaging, after the father of the minor girl claimed he filed the complaint out of anger.
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/minor-wrestlers-fathers-u-turn-not-decisive-in-probe-into-sexual-harassment-case-against-brij-bhushan-sharan-singh-legal-experts/cid/1943740
https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/wfi-chief-brij-bhushan-singh-wrestlers-protest-minor-statement-fir-posco-act-delhi-police-2393284-2023-06-15
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/wrestling/cancellation-of-pocso-case-disappointing-say-wrestlers/articleshow/101033319.cms
No matter how fast the news cycle turns, ongoing stories demand ongoing coverage. But inefficient as the media may be in general, the deliberate silencing here is at another level.
As the prime minister prepares for his state visit to the USA next week, you can be guaranteed that this will be the focus for television and most of the print media. It provides them with an easy excuse for not covering the problems in the rest of India.
And as for Uttarakhand and its sudden move towards rampant communalism, what can one say? The court has managed to stay one “mahapanchayat” by militant Hindutva organisations for now. But the damage is probably already done.
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/uttarakhand-high-court-maha-panchayat-purola-uttarkashi-rising-communal-tension-230686
https://scroll.in/article/1050942/everyone-is-frightened-muslims-in-uttarakhands-purola-recount-a-campaign-to-hound-them-out
Not that the mainstream media is interested in the state, unless there’s some natural calamity.
It’s been 10 years since the devastating flash floods of 2013.
One more disaster buried deep somewhere. Why do I go so far? How about the worst train accident in 20 years. Was that this month? Really? So much has happened since, no?
Rah! Rah!
Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.