Indian media has come under huge scanner for its questionable journalistic ethics in the last few years. A section of media, particularly TV channels, has often attracted global attention for adding perceived comic value to its newsgathering exercises.
In 2013, when the nature’s fury struck Uttarakhand, a video of a TV reporter recording his piece to camera while climbing on the shoulder of a local resident had gone viral. In February this year, India Today’s Rahul Kanwal had faced social media roasting after he decided to interview Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
The video of Kanwal and Mrs Fadnavis throwing snow flakes at each other had gone viral on social media.
Now, another quirky video has emerged from Chhattisgarh, where the counting for this year’s assembly polls will be held tomorrow. Keeping the nervous of candidates in mind, a reporter working for a regional channel IBC24 decided to test the blood pressure of some politicians. The video of the reporter has now gone viral on Twitter.
While posting the video journalist Prashant Kumar wrote, “WATCH it to BELIEVE it. Another First in TV Journalism. Reporters of a regional channel in Chhattisgarh are going on measuring BLOOD PRESSURE of candidates on the eve of results. “Aap keh to rahe hain ki normal hain, humne socha check kar lein’.”
WATCH it to BELIEVE it. Another First in TV Journalism.
Reporters of a regional channel in Chhattisgarh are going on measuring BLOOD PRESSURE of candidates on the eve of results.
"Aap keh to rahe hain ki normal hain, humne socha check kar lein." pic.twitter.com/PemkPstIYr
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) December 10, 2018
Journalist Aman Sharma wrote, “Haha! Peak journalism!” Kajal K Iyer of Times Now wrote, “Waah waah naye aayam.” Sreenivasan Jain of NDTV termed it ‘outstanding.’ Smriti Kak of Hindustan Times suggested, “Great time to collaborate with diagnostic labs.” Siddhant Mishra of Times Now tweeted, “Kraantikari Journalism!! Now BP will decide sentiment of the state. No need for Exit Polls/Surveys.”
Chhattisgarh had gone for assembly polls in two stages in November this year. Exit polls have predicted that the Congress may unseat the BJP in the strife-torn state.