After the thrill is gone: Some serious questions for media

So we've established that we love to watch the news. Especially when it is full of juice and action and mystery. Otherwise, we'd rather watch cricket. Or is it now kabaddi? No. I didn't think so.

I am without a TV here right now, so I have no idea who is doing what to whom. On air, of course.

So I have the luxury to sit back and think. What happens to a story once it climaxes and lies limply on a news list? Spent with all the speculation, debate, opinion and er… reportage… and unable to rise to the occasion for now? Is it best ignored? Or does it need a booster?

Take the curious case of Sunanda Pushkar. How we all loved to discuss her life. How we all were shocked at her untimely demise and nosedived into the coverage without oxygen tanks. We even called it a "murder", a "suicide", a "scandal". Anything but "an unnatural death", which was the only official term used at the time. We raised our own expectations of discovering the facts of the case. We have fallen flat at the finish.

Even if the officials were wrong to "botch up" the investigation, did we, as the media, need to forget so easily? Is Sunanda no longer worth some market share in the news?

The story had all the roar of "dhamakedar news" which would make most "breaking news" sound like a "mew". Is it a case of "Kuch ho hi nahin raha toh hum kyun dikhayein?" Therefore, over and out?

Well, that's the reality of news television. But it's not the reality of real investigative journalism. And good journalists. Sorry if I missed it, but when was the last time some news editor of eminence give it a few seconds on prime time? Or it made it to a blurb in a revered magazine? Or even an afterthought in a daily newspaper? Chalo, even a mention on a remote website? Worse, has the audience, who so easily judges a media company's news choice, also lost interest in the "The Biggest Story of 2014?" Issmein sex hai, romance hai, "maarder" hai, paisa hai, pyaar hai. Yehi toh news hai!

No. It is "Raat gayi baat gayi". Aur justice bhi gayi.

So Sheena is the new Sunanda. And Aarushi is well and truly khatam. I am ashamed at how callous we are as a society.

We are gold-diggers and gravediggers at the same time. But we don't have the decency to even pause and recollect. Or pursue the truth out of sheer respect for it. Who cares? We've been to the funeral. We needn't bother with the mourning.

I am so shocked to hear that the media called Rakesh Maria's promotion, the first "casualty in the Sheena Bora case". Do you really think that, in this age of uncontrollable media glare, someone out there is stupid enough to think he can prevent the truth from escaping? Or being established? Are we that corrupt? And do we actually still expect that kind of corruption?

I am glad with the clarification that Mr Maria will complete the investigation before he moves on. We don't need another fiasco on our heads.

Ahmed Javed is the new police commissioner. He is a responsible and respected officer. I am certain he is also good at his job. I am sure neither Javed nor Maria would want Sheena to become yet another unsolved case, yet another forgotten media headline. Yet another example of failure.

If this is just another "Botch Watch", that's going to take all the might of the entire media, may it continue till it is concluded. I don't want to have to go on a candlelight vigil a few years hence to get "Justice for Sheena". I want it here and now.

It's time both the media and the justice system became answerable to the common man who pays his taxes and wants to know he matters.

It's not just what's making the news that needs to make the headlines and break your eardrums. It's also what's not making it and why.