(Picture by Jafar Shameem)
Really! Do the two gentlemen in the picture really want to know why a Bollywood actor committed suicide! Are they aliens from another universe?
Yet the sensation seeking media through its clamorous and raucous representatives keeps the airwaves and the print media busy day in and out debating and hammering the sad event, and a large chunk of us from the same universe follow them with vicarious curiosity! Abhorring and repulsive to say the least! Why has the media jettisoned its morality and rectitude?
‘Aur bhi gham hain zamane mein’ (There are other worldly sorrows)!
Why we, who claim to be adroit and shrewd, have lost our counterpoise and equilibrium? Why do they sensationalize and we succumb to their melodramatic articulations? I will come to this later. Let us now attempt to locate the reasons for the media to sensationalize issues at its whimsy freakishness.
- Those in the news media have a duty to report and investigate stories right and proper backed up with documents, interviews, responsible witnesses, and other primary sources. Most of our Journalists and editors to sensationalize mistakenly or purposely relay false information from unreliable anonymous sources, who use mass media as a tool for retaliation, defamation, victim and witness tampering, and monetary or personal gain.
- ‘News loops’ showing people the exact same thing over and over again, instilling fear through completely ridiculous and unverified sources. As politics have become more polarized, these tactics have become increasingly prominent as news outlets realize how easy it is to push their own agendas on the internet in this fashion.
- Debate of sensationalism used in the mass medium of broadcasting is based on a understanding of its audience, especially the television audience. The idea is not to analyse and verify but to ensure that matter continues to remain, stealing the limelight from other more relevant and pressing issues which are not beneficial and conducive to the ruling constellation whose patronage they seek and enjoy.
- More often than not, news stories become sensationalized for the simple fact that ratings and readership will rise if people find the story interesting. When the facts of a story are exaggerated in order for that particular newspaper or television station to receive a better rating, some of us find it difficult to understand the reality of what was covered.
Overall respect for any form of media has fallen greatly simply because of the use of sensationalism, which can be seen as demeaning to the industry. So the question rises, are sensationalist news stories demeaning and damaging to society? Most people are not even aware of the difference between an average story and a sensationalized one. But the effects of sensational stories can last for a long period of time in society and can change our perception on our otherwise commonplace considerations.
Can we as humble bourgeois alter this current drift? The media necessitates an audience and some of us fall prey to them as gullible fellowship. Let us pause and question the media through non acquiescence of their objectionable proclivities. Let us through various modes and forums raise and pursue those issues which affect our lives in multiform shapes and magnitude.
Some of these issues could be:-
Its not far off when we will ignore the media totally and through our labor acquire and capture data and facts. The airwaves are open and vast and are real time friendly too!
Is it not sensational!
And finally a graffiti on the Berlin Wall! Think it over!
(All pictures and video are by Jafar Shameem)
For more pictures by Jafar Shameem please log on to https://www.jafar.com/
Impressions, Perceptions and Views. 
Regretfully, whilst I may be OK with some parts of your blog, this is one where I totally disagree with most of what you’ve said!
Are YOU au fait with the Rajput case to judge?
Similarly, since you’ve jumped into American politics, Trump is actually the best that could have happened for the US.
Screaming about global warming has as much meaning as yelling when darkness sets in in the evening!
IMO!
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`With delight, I thank you for your comments. I do take care to write after I am well founded, no off the cuff stuff for me. I have no outer motives nor emotionally sentimental outpourings! Just logical, rational, objective and realistic views and perspectives. Welcome readers to accept and be with their personal opinion.
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“Sourcing” your information from the leftist established MSM etc is a dangerous methodology, at the best of times. Even the ubiquitous Google/ Wiki tend to eliminate information that does not align itself with their left-of-centre thinking! Be of good cheer, mate!
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Thank you for the guidance and counsel.
I really do not know if ‘truth’ can be measured as left, center or right!
Arz Hai
ghaur kiya, mesoos kiya, ehsaas kiya aur kaan diya har mudde ko
zarea jo bhi ho dariyaft kiya khule zhan se usko
ade rahe hamesha is baath per tum Shameem
sachai jitni bhi kadwi na ho suna diya sabko
Khush raho mere dost!
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Received via WhatsApp
*” Zohnerism “*
Why we need to *Avoid* watching too much of breaking news & panel discussions on Indian TV news channels now a days! Specially local channels.
The notorious concept of *Zohnerism*
*Zohnerism* – all about twisting of simple facts to confuse people.
In 1997, 14 year old Nathan Zohner presented his science fair project to his classmates, seeking to ban a highly toxic chemical from it’s everyday use.
The chemical in question? Dihydrogen monoxide.
Throughout his presentation, Zohner provided his audience scientifically correct evidence as to why this chemical should be banned.
He explained that dihydrogen monoxide:
—–Causes severe burns in while it’s in gas form
—–Corrodes and rusts metal
—–Kills countless amounts of people annually
—–Is commonly found in tumors, acid rain etc.
—–Causes excessive urination and bloating if consumed
—–Zohner also noted that the chemical is able to kill you if you depend on it and then experience an extended withdrawal.
He then asked his classmates if they actually wanted to ban dihydrogen monoxide.
_And so 43 out of the 50 children present voted to ban this clearly toxic chemical._
However…this chemical isn’t typically considered toxic at all.
_In fact, dihydrogen monoxide is simply an unconventional name for water._
Nathan Zohner’s experiment wasn’t a legitimate attempt to ban water, but instead an experiment to get a representation of how gullible people can really be.
Also, all of the points that Zohner used to convey his point were 100% factually correct; he just skewed all of the information in his favor by omitting certain facts.
In recognition of his experiment, journalist James K. Glassman coined the term “Zohnerism” to refer to “the use of a true fact to lead a scientifically and mathematically ignorant public to a false conclusion”.
“`And this occurs a lot more often than you think, especially when politicians, conspiracy theorists, etc., use proven facts to persuade people into believing false claims.“`
*The fact that people can mislead, and be misled so easily, is highly unsettling.*
P. S – A very meaningful sensible WhatsApp forward that applies to today’s world more than anytime before.
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Thank you Kajal. Hopefully at least in this country people recognize the danger of Zohnerism after having experienced it effects for the past four years.
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