15 seconds of fame

There is something so fascinating and absolutely goofed up with media (specially TV news channels) that every now and then I end up writing about them. This one is again on the same line.

On Thursday night we saw almost all the Indian news channel showing us live how one black car had breached the security measures at 7 Race Course Road (Residence of PM). There was a cabinet meeting taking place that time at PM s house. TV news cameras showed us live how the car passed the various check posts without much of intervention.

There were two girls and one guy in the car. It was driven by one of the girls while the guy was sitting in the front seat. The youth looked like coming from well to do families and looked educated.

There were live discussions with (so called) security experts who termed this even as a very big laps on SPG’s (Special Protection Group) part. Next some of the newspaper carried the same headlines. I am not sure but the issue was raised in parliament also.

After this big a headline, Delhi Police jumped into the action. They detained all the three passengers of the car and started questioning their motives. Before that only media had shown us live talk with one of the girls. She seemed to answer this about their motives to visit PM –“our PM is a fascinating personality. We wanted to feel the thrill of meeting him.” Oh yes, Mr PM was waiting for those guys only.

Thrill of meeting PM? Or just some moments of glory? Which actually turned into a longer stint on national TV and then 18 hours of questioning in police station. The youth was not under influence of alcohol (as proved by the medical examination done on them that night).

Later on Saturday evening, same news channel were showing a news clip with lots of animation about PM House’s security arrangements. And they were trying to explain how the car had actually not touched PM’s secure house only. In fact, they showed, it was stopped before the outer check post of PM’ house. Some of them were trying to justify SPG’s action and promptness while others were still projecting asa security breach. The same old security experts still in the discussions. Just one day for views to change?

Such a sad turn of events. Overall if you see this even is nothing but one adventure plan by three youths which ended up catching media attention, and media making news from nothing at all.

Time and again this happens. 24X7 news is not such an easy business.