Letters to the Hoot—media voyeurism

IN Opinion | 19/12/2004

Dear editor ,

I was simmering with anger on seeing the picture which was awarded the "Ramnath Goenka Picture of the Year " Award. 

The picture, flashed on front pages of major Express Group publications, showed a weeping man on the phone while his sister hangs from the ceiling fan in the background. If this isn’t a disgusting display of voyeurism, then what is?  The photographer recounted how he reached the spot and canned the picture the moment he got there. This, I feel is a disgusting act of violation of privacy by media persons who are increasingly ignoring ethical and moral considerations. What is more shocking than anything else, is that Indian Express decided to coronate the heartless voyeur with a prestigious award and carried the picture on its front page. I was expecting more sensitivity and maturity from the Editorial team, than has been shown.  

This case is different from others, where pictures of riot-victims are published. Those pictures are critical to convey the horrors of the carnage , which may result in some positive action. I dare the photographer and the Indian Express team to provide a plausible and reasonable cause behind this particular photograph. Its an act of gross violation of a person`s dignity and privacy and only people sick in the head can dare to support such acts of voyeurism...Classic case of Sensational taking precedence over the Sensitive. What is next in line ? An up-close-and-personal EXCLUSIVE shot of a rape victim ? Going by what i have seen today, its quite a possibility. isn`t it, Mr. Gupta ?

 Salil Deshpande                                                                                                        Wilson BMM, Mumbai                                                                                                   December 18, 2004

Dear Editor,

The row over the photos of Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur allegedly kissing is centred around whether or not the photos were genuine. But for journalists the real issue is whether, even if they were genuine, such graphic photographs (shown on Star News 9 pm bulletin) should be printed in a general paper, even if it is a tabloid. Shouldn’t the press draw the line somewhere?

In the 9 pm bulletin the same day NDTV reporting on the arrest of an IIT Kharagpur student in the sex clip case, kept showing a cellphone with the display screen blurred (or whatever they do to mask identities) but one could make out some movements. Was it meant to tell viewers that this was the offensive visual but NDTV was blurring it? Was that necessary at all?

Seetha P                                                                                                                            New Delhi

December  16, 2004