The recent tragedy in mumbai where five people reportedly died in local train-related incidents has passed with barely a ripple in national media coverage, raising serious concerns about the priorities of mainstream journalism in India. While the same media houses offered wall-to-wall coverage of the Bengaluru stampede, complete with emotional narratives and political blame games, the loss of lives in mumbai — a city where overcrowded trains claim hundreds of lives annually — was almost entirely ignored. This selective spotlight not only diminishes the value of those lives lost but also exposes the dangerous erosion of journalistic independence, where newsworthiness seems to depend on political utility rather than human tragedy.
Many critics point to what they call the “Modi Media” phenomenon, where a majority of national media outlets are seen as extensions of the ruling party’s public relations machinery. The timing of this blackout is especially telling, as it coincides with the celebration of prime minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years in power.
Channels were flooded with tribute reels, glowing retrospectives, and sycophantic panels, while real issues like public infrastructure failures and preventable deaths were conspicuously absent. Had a similar incident occurred in a state governed by the opposition, the narrative would likely have turned into a political weapon, with endless debates, field reporting, and blame-laden headlines.
This incident speaks to a larger systemic failure—not just of governance, but of the watchdogs who are meant to hold power accountable. The public, unfortunately, has in many ways normalized this media culture by voting based on optics, freebies, and carefully manufactured narratives instead of real accountability. In return, they face rising inflation, failing public services, crumbling healthcare, and joblessness. As heartfelt condolences pour in for the deceased, the question remains: when will human lives start mattering more than political allegiance? Until the media reclaims its role as an unbiased pillar of democracy, stories like these will continue to be buried—along with the truth.
Many critics point to what they call the “Modi Media” phenomenon, where a majority of national media outlets are seen as extensions of the ruling party’s public relations machinery. The timing of this blackout is especially telling, as it coincides with the celebration of prime minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years in power.
Channels were flooded with tribute reels, glowing retrospectives, and sycophantic panels, while real issues like public infrastructure failures and preventable deaths were conspicuously absent. Had a similar incident occurred in a state governed by the opposition, the narrative would likely have turned into a political weapon, with endless debates, field reporting, and blame-laden headlines.
This incident speaks to a larger systemic failure—not just of governance, but of the watchdogs who are meant to hold power accountable. The public, unfortunately, has in many ways normalized this media culture by voting based on optics, freebies, and carefully manufactured narratives instead of real accountability. In return, they face rising inflation, failing public services, crumbling healthcare, and joblessness. As heartfelt condolences pour in for the deceased, the question remains: when will human lives start mattering more than political allegiance? Until the media reclaims its role as an unbiased pillar of democracy, stories like these will continue to be buried—along with the truth.
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