The News Minute | September 30, 2014 | 10.30 am IST
Display of animosity and polarization on social media has come full circle. After clear divisions in support between the fekus, aaptards and libtards throwing criticism at each other, the divide in opinions has now reached mainstream media.
A Sunday incident at Madison Square Garden in New York where Rajdeep Sardesai, senior journalist and consulting editor at Headlines Today was involved in an altercation has dominated discussions on social media.
While quite a few in the media industry came out in support of Sardesai, public perception of him being anti-Modi has turned the fight ugly on social media.
On Monday, Zee TV ran a package on Rajdeep Sardesai and his wife, Sagarika Ghose completely running down the journalist.
The package starts off with a video of Sardesai’s tussle with a Modi supporter in New York followed by criticism of his behaviour on foreign soil. It also questioned if Sardesai was making a mockery of India India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on foreign soil by displaying ‘anti-national’ behaviour.
The package goes on to talk about the couple’s rise professionally within journalistic circles attributing their success to external factors.
Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose reacted to the allegations made by the news channel.
Sorry folks, won't respond to lies of channel/editors caught on tape seeking bribes and sent to jail. Supari 'journalism' at its worst.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 29, 2014How hilariously preposterous that cheats jailed for extortion are throwing around charges of "anti-national"/ family connections etc!
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) September 29, 2014Let dogs bark, I continue to do the work I love & be true to values I believe in. Let the scumbags screech. Watch out for my blog soon!
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) September 29, 2014The reactions made by the couple were based on a recent sting operation carried out by Congress MP Naveen Jindal against the TV channel in which two senior journalists were arrested for demanding Rs. 100 crore in exchange for not airing unfriendly stories on him.
The idea of taking sides is not new. Mainstream media has been doing it subtly for a long time, but now a large chunk of the media is becoming openly polarised, and seem to have no qualms in showing it.
If this isn't paid and planted news, I don't what is. Two minutes of silence for everyone who bought this story. LOL. http://t.co/cJNWDE1jw3
— rupa subramanya (@rupasubramanya) September 30, 2014So Rajdeep was provocative because he's funded by the ISI! Where's my stock of tinfoil hats? I've found customers! https://t.co/RlHvQAlkxI
— Pierre Fitter (@pierrefitter1) September 29, 2014@aditi_ca (3) he was kicked. I didn't see that. But he was certainly verbally attacked and their presence was intimidating. Then
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 30, 2014@aditi_ca (4) the reporter got confrontational. removed his jacket. there was an exchange of words. it was hard for me to capture everything
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 30, 2014@aditi_ca (5) i did hear him say asshole. then he walked away. one of the guys in the crowd shouted something. i couldn't hear what exactly
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 30, 2014@aditi_ca (6) the reporter turned back and put his hands around his neck. the scuffle btw the two started. quickly everything cooled.
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 30, 2014@aditi_ca (7) for context. reporter was called a traitor, the group acted like a mob. if i would have been him i would have felt threatened
— James FontanellaKhan (@JFK_America) September 30, 2014