Three, Two, One and… She’s gone!! “For, all those who missed these most sensational moments, we shall be showing the replay after a short commercial break… so please do not go away or switch channels, we shall be right back!”
What you have heard is not the running commentary of ‘Queen's Logic’ the champion juvenile Irish filly tantalisingly getting off her starting block in Dubai Derby, but the death of a fellow human being, Jade Goody, being covered frame by frame on TV channels. This was the most obnoxious program that I had ever watched on TV and to me it was also the most outrageous, disrespectful and insane commercialization of a tragic event. I agree, tough times call for radical measures ( for revenue generation), but this has crossed all civil limits of radicalism. May be, I belong to the old school of thoughts and the GenX may differ!!!
To me, Jades motives for seeking publicity is understandable though not palatable. To hog lime light, which she has been any case since the Big Brother days (but where is she going to take the added publicity?) or as some say, to make extra cash for her children -which some charity could always have given- etc. etc. Facing death, Jade is definitely not in the proper frame of mind to think coherently. But, the strategist and thinkers in the media are!! Whatever be her motive, could the media ever stoop to such low levels to trivialize death of a human being and fill ad spots between the last breaths? Arguments that there is viewership and TRP for such a program or switch channels if you do not like etc. don’t cut much ice. My rebuttal is simple that there will certainly be an overwhelming TRP for pornography, yet we do not allow them to be aired on public TV!!!!
Foreign tabloids have long been indulging in such yellow journalism for their existence. But Indian media by and large have been refraining and giving sufficient space to an individual’s privacy- though there have been occasional attempts to cross the line- . I for one, thought that this self restraint has been the hallmark, maturity and differentiator of our media over the western ones until the myth got shattered with the latest turn of events in Jade Goody episode.
Childbirth is a very private affair and not offered for public viewing- other than for academic reason-. Isn’t the process of death as private, sacrosanct and sacred as birth? Though, the emotions experienced are completely different. While one is of elation, excitement, fulfillment of creation and the other forlornness, poignancy and gloom of severance. Both, to me, should be experienced by an extremely close group who share the same sentiments and not to be left opened for an opinion poll on TV!!!!
Imagine the prime time debates on 'abcd' channel regarding the propriety of facial make-up and expression of the 'dying' !!! Whether the agony on the face should have been moderated or the tears of the near and dear were artificial!! Or a TV junkie shouting lights, action, camera and a retake of the last breath!!! Nevertheless, may Jade Goody's soul rest in peace and may God give her children the strength to bear the loss of their mother
What you have heard is not the running commentary of ‘Queen's Logic’ the champion juvenile Irish filly tantalisingly getting off her starting block in Dubai Derby, but the death of a fellow human being, Jade Goody, being covered frame by frame on TV channels. This was the most obnoxious program that I had ever watched on TV and to me it was also the most outrageous, disrespectful and insane commercialization of a tragic event. I agree, tough times call for radical measures ( for revenue generation), but this has crossed all civil limits of radicalism. May be, I belong to the old school of thoughts and the GenX may differ!!!
To me, Jades motives for seeking publicity is understandable though not palatable. To hog lime light, which she has been any case since the Big Brother days (but where is she going to take the added publicity?) or as some say, to make extra cash for her children -which some charity could always have given- etc. etc. Facing death, Jade is definitely not in the proper frame of mind to think coherently. But, the strategist and thinkers in the media are!! Whatever be her motive, could the media ever stoop to such low levels to trivialize death of a human being and fill ad spots between the last breaths? Arguments that there is viewership and TRP for such a program or switch channels if you do not like etc. don’t cut much ice. My rebuttal is simple that there will certainly be an overwhelming TRP for pornography, yet we do not allow them to be aired on public TV!!!!
Foreign tabloids have long been indulging in such yellow journalism for their existence. But Indian media by and large have been refraining and giving sufficient space to an individual’s privacy- though there have been occasional attempts to cross the line- . I for one, thought that this self restraint has been the hallmark, maturity and differentiator of our media over the western ones until the myth got shattered with the latest turn of events in Jade Goody episode.
Childbirth is a very private affair and not offered for public viewing- other than for academic reason-. Isn’t the process of death as private, sacrosanct and sacred as birth? Though, the emotions experienced are completely different. While one is of elation, excitement, fulfillment of creation and the other forlornness, poignancy and gloom of severance. Both, to me, should be experienced by an extremely close group who share the same sentiments and not to be left opened for an opinion poll on TV!!!!
Imagine the prime time debates on 'abcd' channel regarding the propriety of facial make-up and expression of the 'dying' !!! Whether the agony on the face should have been moderated or the tears of the near and dear were artificial!! Or a TV junkie shouting lights, action, camera and a retake of the last breath!!! Nevertheless, may Jade Goody's soul rest in peace and may God give her children the strength to bear the loss of their mother
posted by Ramesh Panicker at
4:14 AM
3 Comments:
Good one though I feel there could be a number of reasons she did what she did --
As mentioned by you - secure her kids future (financially).
Her image needed a makeover..especially after the racial slurs during the big brother episode. By selling the TV rights, she reached a much wider audience & has almost become saintly.
Biz related - Her cosmetic & perfume line had taken a bad hit post the BB show.
With so many channels around today, to survive i guess they need to sensationalising whatever can capture the public imagination. I agree channels have become tabloid trash.
Hi Ramesh,
While there might be very little for me to disagree with your sentiments( because I feel the same way) I still feel there is no need to feel so strongly about the episode. Is this the first time media have been "merchants of death". Thats how they are. In fact I was stuck at the Heathrow airport on the day of her demise and I had to endure the non stop coverage of her death and deeds. One good thing though was that there are more women undergoing cervical cancer screening after her public grief than in the past. There are good things even in the things that may not be easily accepted.
I have a second disagreement/question- While you may not like death to be a public event because you abhor the idea- Why is "pornography so unacceptable"? ( Other than for the need to protect children etc). In fact some of the Indian movies are so obscene and suggestive that Pornography may make easy viewing. Thats a different topic anyway.
I loved the beginning!The media managed to make something as serious as "death due to cancer" a source of some form of sadistic entertainment.This could be the beginning of a new fad,just for the money and fame involved.
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