I gave up watching TV news in 2008. In the aftermath of the coverage of the attacks on Mumbai, in the event that we call 26/11.

There were a variety of reasons for me stopping watching news – the fact that news anchors were fast and easy with the news. That they put out false information. That they put out information that helped those masterminding the attacks to kill more Indian para military troops. That they were irresponsible, that they were callous. That they forgot to edit the news and put out live feeds that put lives in danger.  That they cared for nothing else but numbers. That watching them made me feel nauseous and sick. That in their haste to be controversial, and edgy, they wouldn’t have minded starting a riot or two or three, if it guaranteed even more numbers. I thought then, they were low, and, in the decade that has followed, i have been proven right multiple times.

The time i did break my news viewing on TV, i used to head digital content for a leading news conglomerate, and had no choice but to watch the news, primarily to ensure than nothing fake went on digital platforms. I mostly got it right. But, it was touch and go. And, it left me with a even lower view on TV news, than i had before.

Watching twitter streams of leading news companies cover Sridevi’s death reminded me once more of why watching Indian news channels can be dangerous to your sanity and mental well being. I saw tweets that said “Live funeral coverage”, “Maut ka bathtub”, and other such incredibly tasteless content that used her death as a means of earning more eyeballs, and more money. The speculation on her death, the vicarious pleasure in reporting alcohol traces in her blood, the glee with which bath tubs were recreated makes me wish for only one thing – the instant demise of these news channels, and the perpetual unemployment, from media,  of all those involved in putting out content like this.

I was grateful to see #LeaveHerRestInPeace trending yesterday, and for a good part today – ordinary people telling the media to go away and do something useful.

We have a burgeoning media with no soul, no sense of responsibility, and none of the accountability that comes with being a pillar of Democracy. To be honest, these aren’t pillars of democracy, this is the septic tank of society – the worst that our society can throw out.

I have spent 22 years in the media, and i have never been more ashamed of being in the media, as i am today.

(post script : as someone rightly pointed out on twitter, it isn’t all media. it is just the media that chose to abandon it’s basic principles.  )