The response by Times Now, suggesting plane crash movies to watch in the aftermath of the horrifying ahmedabad Air india Flight AI171 tragedy, has rightly sparked public outrage. In a moment that called for compassion, sobriety, and responsible journalism, turning a national tragedy into an opportunity for content promotion reeks of insensitivity. Dozens of lives were lost, families devastated, and a nation in mourning. Recommending entertainment based on real-time suffering crosses every line of decency and ethics. It reflects not just poor editorial judgment, but a disturbing detachment from basic human empathy.
This incident is not an isolated one but symptomatic of a broader decay in indian broadcast journalism, where sensationalism routinely triumphs over substance. In the race for TRPs and online engagement, newsrooms increasingly operate like entertainment hubs, treating tragedies as plot points rather than human catastrophes. Instead of investigative reporting or meaningful tributes, we see viral hashtags, dramatic background scores, and now, even movie recommendations. Such behavior is not only unprofessional—it actively undermines the public’s trust in media, eroding journalism’s core responsibility to inform with integrity.
Calling these media outlets “vultures” may sound harsh, but many viewers feel that label is justified when sorrow becomes a spectacle. The grief of those who lost loved ones deserves respect, not commodification. Journalism should serve the public interest, hold power to account, and provide solace during crises—not capitalize on heartbreak for fleeting attention. If this trend continues, the indian media risks becoming a parody of itself—loud, crass, and devoid of soul. In times like these, one doesn’t just mourn the dead but also the death of dignity in public discourse.
This incident is not an isolated one but symptomatic of a broader decay in indian broadcast journalism, where sensationalism routinely triumphs over substance. In the race for TRPs and online engagement, newsrooms increasingly operate like entertainment hubs, treating tragedies as plot points rather than human catastrophes. Instead of investigative reporting or meaningful tributes, we see viral hashtags, dramatic background scores, and now, even movie recommendations. Such behavior is not only unprofessional—it actively undermines the public’s trust in media, eroding journalism’s core responsibility to inform with integrity.
Calling these media outlets “vultures” may sound harsh, but many viewers feel that label is justified when sorrow becomes a spectacle. The grief of those who lost loved ones deserves respect, not commodification. Journalism should serve the public interest, hold power to account, and provide solace during crises—not capitalize on heartbreak for fleeting attention. If this trend continues, the indian media risks becoming a parody of itself—loud, crass, and devoid of soul. In times like these, one doesn’t just mourn the dead but also the death of dignity in public discourse.
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