#CMCDebate

Shruti Pandit, Publishing Consultant , SAGE Publications Editor, Goa Times

“Has the media crossed the line by reporting about the personal lives of politicians, cricketers and Bollywood actors or it is justified as they are public figures?”

It’s a two way traffic!

To debate “Has the media crossed the line by reporting about the personal lives of politicians, cricketers and Bollywood actors or it is justified as they are public figures?” is to rediscover a lot of things; especially so since I have been asked to justify that media has been intrusive.

I have been a part of media for last 20 odd years and spent a large quantum of that doing what’s termed today as ‘page 3’ journalism. I have interviewed celebs from all walks of life and covered events and parties that they make appearances at.

When I first heard the topic, I was reminded of the legendary actor Dev Anand. He had once said in an interview to me, “Today’s generation of actors have lost the charisma. There’s no mystery that surrounds them. They are easily accessible. Too easily seen in advertisements and at events. No enigma, no mystery…everything is like an open book!” He was right. The media or its evolution was not the same during his peak days. There was no television. And accept for a few actresses endorsing Lux, no film star did any endorsements. There was a fine, yet distinct, line of demarcation between models and film stars, which they both respected.

Coming back to the topic of debate and the side that was chosen for me:

The media in India, like everything else, has followed the line of paparazzi of the western world. They follow, they pursue, they tag, they stalk…till their target either gives up or gives in! Every single movement of the favourites is captured. And the advent and growth of social media has just multiplied the intrusion by 100 times. You fart and it’s tweeted, instagramed etc.

Celebs have an adulation that builds their celebrity image. They have to live up to it. They want their fans to know that they – the fans – are wanted and loved. It starts with the celebs leaking a little information for the benefit of their image that spirals – or in today’s language ‘goes viral’ – and gets out of hand. With so many channels, websites, newspapers, magazines, apps that want to “break the news”, it becomes mandatory for each element of media to get something that’s new. In the bargain, the celebs who to begin with wanted to share a piece of information find themselves to be trolled or stalked.

Yes, the new media and its quick response technology has given rise to the insidious side of paparazzi that was responsible for Princess Diana’s death.

But one has to remember that today even a Big B burns midnight oil to stay in touch with his fans on FB, Twitter, Snapchat and all other available networking sites. He wants to be seen. Even a great man like him feels the need. Insecurities are on a rise. Publicity – negative or positive – is publicity at the end of the day. And many celebrities crave for that. This is the beginning of invasive journalism led by paparazzi.