The footage of BJP activists setting afire the cap of policeman that has the national emblem (Ashok Pillar) was repeatedly shown on Star TV that termed it as a national disgrace. The incident occurred in Saharanpur where BJP and SP workers clashed resulting in death of a BJP worker.
Yes, it is a disgrace. That none in the crowd stopped anyone from kicking the cap, putting footwear on it and hitting it with shoes. But, don't we all know who stage-managed it? The answer is cameramen. Anyone who saw the footage would easily make out the sounds suggesting that cameramen were 'directing' the protestors so that it could make a 'good shoot' and 'sensational' sight.
In fact, most of the sensational footages we saw on TV are the brainchild of Cameramen, who urge the petty activists and demonstrators whose sole purpose in life is to be in limelight, to do such and such things to get publicity. As a journalist, I have seen this aspect of cameramen closely.
I sometimes wonder how they get so de-sensitised that often they would ask an ailing person even on their death bed to 'perform' something (like cry or fold hands) for a good photo/footage. Unfortunately, it is quite common for cameramen to provoke protestors during demonstrations and tell them 'novel' means that could be 'sold' as good story on national channels.
Of course, all cameraman can't be blamed but majority is just like that. Will the channel dare to say that it is ashamed of journos including its own cameramen whose voices are heard in the background. The journalist community needs to do a soulsearching as it has now gone too far in pursuit of sensational news.
