Sajid Raina
In Kashmir, it’s almost impossible to scroll through social media without stumbling upon yet another viral story. But these aren’t stories from established media houses; they’re often driven by self-styled reporters, who, with tiny microphones and a few thousand followers, claim to provide news and analysis to the public. With no formal training or understanding of journalistic ethics, these so-called ‘anchors’ create narratives out of thin air, turning real-life tragedies into spectacles.
Take, for instance, the sad reality of a family who has just lost a loved one in a tragic accident. These self-proclaimed reporters will rush to the grieving home, setting up their cameras, and broadcasting the family’s mourning live on social media. The raw emotions of the family, the wailing, the tears, and the shock of the tragedy are all captured and displayed for public consumption. But what’s worse is the invasive nature of this practice.
These reporters, hungry for views, often approach the grieving family, asking them how they feel upon hearing the news of their loved one’s death. It’s not just a story for them; it’s content—content that they can turn into sensationalized, view-grabbing material, with no thought given to the respect or dignity of the grieving family.
This behavior isn’t limited to private homes. Self-styled journalists have started encroaching upon the offices of both government establishments and private sectors. Their approach is straightforward: they present themselves not as reporters but as social media influencers. Instead of following standard journalistic practices, they introduce themselves by promoting their Facebook pages. It’s a tactic meant to influence officials, people in positions of power, and the public by leveraging the clout of their online presence. In their eyes, the credibility of an official or a business person is no longer defined by their professional credentials but by the number of likes, shares, and followers on a social media profile.
Another disturbing trend in Kashmir is the rise of young reporters—often no older than 16 or 17 years—who roam the streets questioning vendors without any legitimate reason. These “reporters” will accost local street vendors, questioning why they are selling their goods in public spaces, and threatening them with vague and dire consequences, all in the name of journalism. The public humiliation of these vendors is captured on live streams, for no reason other than to generate views and content for the reporter’s social media page.
While these examples may seem extreme, they paint a disturbing picture of the ethics, or lack thereof, that drive this new wave of journalism. Leaving aside the sensationalist stories, many of these so-called reporters go live to provide analysis on topics they have no knowledge of, simply for the sake of attention. Take, for example, a recent incident where a Facebook anchor claimed that the security of Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter was withdrawn after she raised the issue of Balochistan.
This baseless claim, made without any verification or reliable sources, spread like wildfire, shaping public opinion with no regard for the truth.
In yet another example, a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ was seen demonstrating how to unlock a lock if you lose the key, under the guise of providing useful information. The act itself—though harmless in intention—highlights the lack of serious journalism, where the focus is more on entertainment and shock value than on providing meaningful content.
The rapid rise of social media journalists in Kashmir has led to a new era of “viral reporting,” but it comes at a significant cost. The lack of ethics and professionalism has made it increasingly difficult for traditional media outlets to function. Established news organizations, bound by ethical guidelines and editorial standards, are struggling to compete with the sensationalized, unchecked content that floods social media every day.
Public opinion is now being shaped not by fact-based reporting, but by those who know how to stir emotions and draw attention. In a region as politically charged as Kashmir, this is especially dangerous, as misinformation and bias can easily fuel tensions and divisions.
Traditional media houses are caught in a dilemma. While they strive to uphold ethical standards, they often find themselves overshadowed by the relentless pace and appeal of social media. The need for instant, eye-catching content has left little room for in-depth, investigative reporting. Public trust in traditional media is eroding, as people increasingly turn to social media for their news, often without questioning the credibility of the sources.
Can journalism in Kashmir return to its ethical roots? Or are we destined to witness the continued rise of the “Facebook journalist,” who prioritizes clicks and followers over accuracy and integrity? The future of journalism in Kashmir depends on how both the public and media professionals respond to this new wave of social media reporting—and whether they can reclaim the ethics and professionalism that have long defined responsible journalism.
Recently, a doctor was performing a surgery on a patient when, upon further observation, he determined that completing the procedure could have led to serious consequences. Instead of proceeding, he made the responsible decision to close the patient up and informed the family about the situation, a practice that medical professionals often follow in such cases. However, the grieving family was devastated by the turn of events.
Self-styled reporters, hungry for attention, rushed to the hospital with cameras rolling, broadcasting the emotional reactions of the family. The headline they sensationalized was that the doctor had “failed” to perform the surgery, turning it into a viral story. As the video spread across social media, the public quickly shifted their opinion. Many began to verbally attack the doctor, accusing him of negligence, all without understanding the complex medical situation.
It wasn’t until a reputable media house stepped in to provide a more balanced story, explaining the doctor’s decision and the medical reasons behind it, that the truth was finally revealed.
The public’s opinion slowly began to stabilize, as they learned the doctor had acted in the best interest of the patient’s health. Yet, the damage had already been done—the sensationalized narrative had already influenced the minds of many.
If this trend of sensationalised, unethical reporting continues, journalism in Kashmir will struggle to return to its ethical roots. The relentless pursuit of clicks, followers, and viral content undermines responsible journalism. With self-styled reporters prioritizing shock value over truth, public trust in media will erode further.
The lack of verification, invasive practices, and focus on emotional manipulation instead of factual reporting creates a dangerous environment where misinformation thrives. For journalism to regain its ethical foundation, it must shift away from the spectacle of viral content and return to fact-based, responsible reporting that respects dignity and truth.
To combat the rise of unethical journalism in Kashmir, several steps should be taken. First, media literacy campaigns must be implemented to educate the public on how to critically evaluate sources, distinguishing between reliable journalism and sensationalized content.
Social media platforms should be held accountable for the spread of misinformation by introducing stricter regulations and mechanisms to flag misleading or harmful content. Traditional media outlets must reassert their credibility by focusing on investigative reporting, transparency, and fact-checking, distinguishing themselves from the viral sensationalism prevalent online.
Journalism schools and training programmes should emphasize the importance of ethical practices and responsible reporting. Finally, collaboration between media, government, and civil society is necessary to create a framework that priorities the truth and discourages harmful practices that compromise journalistic integrity.
