By Moody Marty | Opening Doorz Editorial | December 26, 2024
Humanity appears to have hit rock bottom. The media, once a pillar of integrity, now boldly invades hospital corridors and closed curtains to exploit vulnerable celebrities. The aim? To produce “cool videos” designed to generate clicks and revenue, regardless of the human cost.
Take, for instance, this video: Click Link
We are sharing it here to expose the sheer crassness with which it was shot. Vinod Kambli, reportedly “critical but stable,” was subjected to a microphone shoved in his face, with the reporter compelling him to speak. What were the hospital authorities thinking? How did the nurse on duty permit this madness?
Vinod Kambli: Privacy Breached
Kambli is struggling with speech issues, presumably due to brain clots, as reported. He is incoherent and in desperate need of medical attention. What satisfaction does this reporter derive from asking him irrelevant questions? Is this what journalism has come to—prying into a sick man’s privacy on a hospital bed? What’s next—following celebrities to the bathroom to see if they can stand straight?
Thankfully, Kambli is receiving the care he needs, and the support from the 1983 World Cup-winning team, fondly known as Kapil’s Devils, is heartening. But no one deserves this level of privacy invasion in the name of sensationalism. The channel responsible should hang its head in shame for this disgraceful coverage.
A History of Privacy Breaches
This is not an isolated incident. Years ago, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar staged a photo op beside the ailing legend R.K. Laxman during a hospital visit. The intent? A promotional stunt for his movie Khatta Meetha (2010).
It was painful to see a national icon like Laxman (revered the world over), reduced to a prop for a film’s publicity. While Akshay may not have orchestrated this alone—his PR team likely pitched it as a “masterstroke”—he could have said no. But when crores of rupees ride on a film’s release, few can resist. The media outlet that carried this story also shares the blame. Ethical journalism would have refused to run such a piece.
The Journalist’s Responsibility
As journalists, we hold a responsibility to uphold human dignity. There is always a line between what is newsworthy and what is exploitative. Crossing that line not only erodes trust but also diminishes humanity itself.
Virat Kohli: A Stark Contrast
Contrast this with Virat Kohli’s recent airport encounter with a journalist. Reports suggest Kohli berated an Australian reporter for filming him and his children at the airport. While airports are public spaces and celebrities must accept some loss of privacy, Kohli’s reaction raises questions about boundaries.
She was merely doing her job, unlike those who intrude into private spaces. Kohli’s criticism here feels misplaced. Ironically, the same celebrities who lash out at journalists often arrange for “photographers” to capture their “spotted” moments outside gyms, restaurants, and airports to maintain a media presence.
Kohli’s contentious history with the press adds another layer to this incident. In 2015, during a practice session in Perth, he lashed out at a journalist, mistaking him for someone who wrote about his then-girlfriend Anushka Sharma’s stay at the team hotel during an earlier tour in England. In 2009, he had another spat with photographers in Nagpur before an ODI match, which reportedly turned into a verbal slugfest.
A Call for Reflection
Privacy is a fundamental right, whether on a hospital bed or in daily life. The media must introspect and draw ethical boundaries. While stardom comes with scrutiny, journalism should not devolve into voyeurism.
For Kohli, his bat must do the talking in the ongoing Melbourne Test. A stellar career does not excuse mediocrity, and perhaps it’s time for self-reflection. The same goes for the media—let’s strive for stories that elevate human dignity rather than diminish it.
[Moody Marty: Sometimes funny, sometimes informative, always downright forthright!]
Also Read: Spare Celebrities from Public Suffering
Also Read: Virat Kohli should stop playing favourites, and focus on cricket!