The 'Sting'...

So the state of journalism in India has achieved a new high, or is it a new low? The ‘sting operations’ done by the India Today TV were supposed to be a about exposing the ugly side of showbiz to the rest of the world but it has just become another salacious episode in the showbiz saga. Nearly everyone has not even batted an eyelid in India, except those approached for their views by the television channels. That the movie industry is an immoral, sinful place is understood. That’s what people expect it to be. In fact, if the channel wanted a real sting, they could have tried to get a starlet to offer herself to the hero, and the hero instead tells her, ‘You are like a sister to me’!! That would have really gotten people’s attention! But all said and done, this was not a sting operation in any way, in my opinion. Rather, it was entrapment, where both, Shakti Kapoor and Aman Verma were lured into a trap by the girl named Ritu. From the recorded conversations, it would seem like the girl was a babe in the woods, completely ignorant of how the industry works. She played the part of the innocent, helpless girl to the hilt.
The film industry, while being at fault here, is being made a soft target by the media. The current sting operation only reaffirms the people’s opinion of the industry as a vile place. Add to that, the number of eyeballs they attract by having the film industry’s name attached to it (Salman Khan’s escapades, Vivek Oberoi-Salman Khan-Aishwarya Rai triangle, Sanjay Dutt’s TADA case, film stars joining politics anyone?). As far as the TV producers are concerned, it’s a win-win situation.
In my opinion, this ‘sting operation’ ranks right up there with the reality shows, in that, both are voyeuristic in nature. The common person sits there, in the confines of his living rooms and watches as other people present their worst profiles to them. They then pass out righteous judgements to them, like they really matter.
In channel concerned has been going to town, justifying its ‘sting operation’. The news presenters keep reiterating that their motive was not to defame anyone, but to bring the truth out. But since when do journalists have to justify their actions again and again? Also, a trial-by-media has begun, with the actors calling press conferences and the news channel repeating the relevant clips to show what the actors actually did.
In fact, these ‘revelations’ has spawned a new mini industry in the press circles. Daily, there are articles, opinions of people who don’t matter, talk shows with the same guests, all discussing this matter threadbare. But really, does it matter? Will girls stop dreaming of the arc lights after watching the clips? I doubt it. Life will go on, people will keep getting exploited by the ones higher up in the hierarchy.
In the mean time, keep watching out for ‘shocking news about a former superstar’.