Tunisha Sharma Suicide Case: Why Do Media Sensationalises Reports On Death?

A section of Indian media indulges in sensationalism is not news but the new lows it steeps to never fail to surprise us. Tunisha Sharma's death has again opened pandora's box of inconsiderate opinions and debates on television and a conversation regarding the same has gone viral on Twitter.

On Thursday, Indian journalist Neha Dixit tweeted about how the media covers deaths. Her tweet read, "As an Indian woman, I shudder at the thought of public discussion on my death. All the mamas-chacha, aunty-uncles one defied, will be dug out by the media, only to hear ‘woh to thi hi aisi!" Her comment sums up the angle from which society discusses someone’s demise. And she’s right. Why is society so obsessed with victim-blaming, especially if the deceased is a woman? Why does the media publish inconsiderate opinions from random people as news?

Tunisha Sharma Suicide Case: Why do media sensationalise death?

In the Tunisha Sharma suicide case, there is a rumour doing the rounds claiming that Tunisha was pregnant at the time of her death. The police, however, denied this following the autopsy. The media further questioned Tunisha’s uncle about the same. Why is the focus put on something fake when the police have dismissed it as a rumour?

In the Shraddha Walker case, a part of society was actively victim-blaming. "This is what happens when girls get into live-in relationships, defying their parents," questioned a part of society. Can women get killed because they are in a live-in relationship and going against their parent's wishes?

In Sushant Singh Rajput's case, his former girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty was accused of money laundering and abetting suicide by Rajput's father. A section of society vilified Rhea Chakraborty as a gold digger and claimed that she was using witchcraft to control Sushant without any proof. How is it fair to vilify a woman without any proof just because she's good-looking, ambitious, and has a modern outlook?

If there is one thing worse than being the victim or survivor of a crime, it is being judged, shamed, blamed, and stigmatised for it. Usually in our country, when women report crimes against them, they get blamed for their dress, for being out at a particular place at a particular time, for hanging out with male friends, for using technology, and for simply accessing their basic rights. People are too quick to make assumptions about the woman’s character and start a rumour that spreads like wildfire.

We live in a patriarchal society that is too quick to blame women for the crimes committed against them. When women step outside the conventional template of an ideal woman, it’s even easier for society to blame them when something unfortunate happens. This is basically because most of society is still not able to come to terms with the fact that today’s women are well-educated, financially independent, and live their lives on their own terms.

Even in our families, there will be at least one misogynistic relative who keeps criticising self-sufficient women in the family. And when they are going through a difficult phase, this relative readily pops in to say, "Girls like you will get into trouble." This is something that happens around us, and when it’s a celebrity in place of the girl next door, a part of society chips in to pass unsolicited comments. Unfortunately, the media seems to focus on these comments, which further ignites the fire. Because, regardless of how much people deny it, the media has a strong influence on people's minds.

The impact of media on society is the primary reason why they should be socially conscious. Anything conveyed by the media has the power to influence people's opinions. So, it’s important to have some amount of conscience, sensitivity, and empathy before putting something out as news.

Views expressed by the author are their own

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