Breaking News: Media Ethics died with 152 people on a plane crash on 28th July 2010!

Disclaimer: This post is not against any particular TV channel.

"Breaking News: Media Ethics died with 152 people on a plane crash on 28th July 2010!"
(This news is exclusively brought to you by Media Baithak.)

Sensationalism vs Reporting of facts have been a big debate in our class and between other media critics. Yes my all media industry related friends will raise their fingers on me again for finding another clue to take on the media scene but hey.. Did the media put itself in the shoes of these bereaved families before airing their so called reporting of facts.

I'm not an aviation expert so we won't be discussing on what wen't wrong and what could have been done to prevent this. Life has no undo buttons. But being a student of media ethics, I felt I should critically analyse the way media handled this incident. Ok considering the fact that this was the worst Flight accident in the history, this was the opportunity for the media to exploit this incident to gain TRPs.

Not just me.. a lot of people were disappointed the way media covered this whole scenario. Lets take it step by step.

Act 1:
Air Blue Plane crashed in Islamabad. (I can smell reporting of facts her)

Act 2:
Five Survivors were rescued from the crash site. (1st scene where news where aired without verification)
Result: Desperate relatives rushed to hospitals and Airports after learning from the channels that some passengers of the Flight ED-202 had survived and were being brought to hospitals.
Now don't come up with the justification that media did what it was being told. I've heard this one a lot of times.

Act 3:
Blackbox found - Kaira

Act 4:
Blackbox is yet to be found - Kaira

Act 5:
Conspiracy theories were discussed in talk shows. I'm not saying that people don't want to know what actually happened. But let the CAA / Air Blue officials conduct their investigation!

Act 6:
Approaching the family of the deceased.. a person who's already in a shock and you start asking questions like "Was he your only son..." "Did she used to cook dinner for the family" and blah blah. This has nothing to do with REPORTING OF FACTS and has to do more with hurting the families of the deceased.

I expressed my views and its not necessary that you agree with every bit of it. Maybe I'm getting too emotional. But The purpose is to start the debate on what was right or wrong. I invite your comments in agreement or disagreement

P.S
Thanks to Asim Noman and Evelyn Gill for reminding me to take this up on Media Baithak. I dedicate this post to Late Andaleeb Mami (My Aunt and a mother of 3 kids under age of 12 who was also among the passengers) and to All those who passed away in that tragic Accident. May Allah Bless the souls of The departed and give patience and Strength to the bereaved families.

By Owais Moeen

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