News Broadcasting
The sad demise of ethics & sensitivity in Indian media’s reporting
NEW DELHI: It was the afternoon of Sunday, 14 June 2020 when the news of the untimely demise of 34-year-old film actor Sushant Singh Rajput hit the headlines of all mainstream news channels in India with sensational headlines and a disturbing reportage such included revealing sensitive details of his death. The whole circus that ensued during the day brought widespread criticism to the state of media in the country.
IIMC professor and course director department of English journalism Surbhi Dahiya shares with Indiantelevision.com that some news channels not only sensationalised the matter but also flouted guidelines on reporting a suicide. The Press Council of India had advised media to not publish such stories prominently, not describe the methods of suicide and be sensitive in their reportage.
She continues, “Not just pictures of him lying dead on his bead circulated on social media were picked up by one of the news channels, most of the headlines were sensational and passed sarcastic comments on this death.”
IIMC Dhenkanal professor Mrinal Chatterjee adds that such insensitive reporting not only hurts the sentiments of the family of the deceased but also leaves a bad taste for the viewers.
DCAC department of journalism assistant professor Tarjeet Sabharwal notes, “The whole reportage around Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was not only insensitive but unethical too. I strongly feel that the media of today has lost its basic ethical, moral and human sense. The anchors and reporters who are covering these stories are working hard to get into news the accurate facts but don’t bring out any emotions in reporting. Media today is nothing but mockery.”
But what has brought the fate of Indian media to such low standards?
According to Dahiya, it can be attributed to the mad race to gain TRPs, while Sabharwal feels that the cut-throat competition within the media ecosphere, especially the rising popularity of digital media is forcing the mainstream channels to present a different narrative, which is not always ethical.
However, assistant professor Ankhi Mukherjee believes that the TRPs come because Indian audience likes to follow such news. “Indian media has completely forgotten ethics and I am not talking about the periphery media when I say it. I had rejected TV a long time back and I think that all viewers must be doing that. They get advertisers because there are people watching their channels. Indian culture is based on discrimination and we like to follow such (sensational) news. We thrive into this news and there has been no attempt made to change this mindset (by the media).”
University of Mumbai department of journalism and communication assistant professor Sanjay Ranade further highlights that the workforce in most of the mainstream news organisations today are not trained well enough to understand the nuances of journalism. “The media of today is totally corrupt – morally, ethically, and financially and that has started reflecting in the type of reporting they are doing," he says.
“When 26/11 happened, we treated it as a crime story but later we realised it was not another crime story but terrorism. Similarly, when floods happened in Mumbai, we saw it as a civic story and not as the humanitarian crisis it was. And when we talk about Sushant Singh Rajput’s case, it was not another crime or entertainment story, but it was death by suicide and mental health problems. But not a single journalist today is trained to cover sensitive issues like that. Journalists of today are lacking intellectual, emotional, and social training,” he adds.
He elaborates that media houses today need a complete shake-up and owners of media companies need training in journalism. Most importantly, other departments like marketing and especially HR need training in what journalism actually means.
He insists, “All journalists are trained well, I believe, but the organisations don’t let them work the way they want to. A journalist is trained to stand against the system, but all the MBA graduates who work as leaders and HR are trained to work under a system, then how do you think they can do justice to the professional role!”
It seems that media houses need to relook at the way they approach their reporting, especially when it comes to sensitive issues.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
