TOI’s Bombay Times under the Scanner
In a no-holds-barred news and gossip world, journalism is overdone these days.With scores of rumours floating across who is to be alleged ? Who are these birdies and anonymous sources?
Is the objective journalism on the verge to die or it is TOI to have a wobbly future?
Since the time Deepika Padukone ‘Cleavage Issue’ and later the fresh negation from Sonakshi Sinha to KRK on his offensive survey were just not enough to tell people that false headlines won’t be sold anymore in the name of journalism. Until recently, another set of actors who are next to clamour this leading daily – Hrithik Roshan and Arjun Rampal.
Times of India has crossed all limitations to maintain its monopoly by lampooning celebrities, signifying the illicit relationship of Arjun Rampal and Hrithik Roshan’s wife Sussanne Khan and how the actor came in between the two ‘soul sisters’ Sussanne and Arjun’s wife Mehr Jesia.
The report stated, “A star wife close to all the three (ahem!) revealed Mehr apparently found that out that despite their repeated denials, the friendship between Arjun and Sussanne ran deeper. The two allegedly travelled overseas during the same period and when abroad, they spent quality time with each other. While Sussanne and Arjun once again maintained that there was nothing to it, according to a model friend of Mehr’s, this time around, she was apparently in no mood to play along.”
So the two actors decided to come to terms with TOI .They chastised the reports in series of tweets.The actor later retweeted tweets that were in their favour and bashed the news portal.
The person in the mid of this whole issue, Sussanne Khan, found a better way to speak up for herself. She released a press note clarifying her stand. Her press note read:
“It is with great disappointment I have read Meena Iyer’s article today, titled, “Is Arjun to blame for the Mehr-Sussanne friendship taking a severe beating.”
This piece is an example of speculation and rumor mongering. Not the slightest effort was made to reach me to ask for my inputs into an article that deals with my life.
Arjun and Mehr are friends and have been for years. To poison a relationship such as this is malicious behavior. I have, with Mehr, earlier stated in the same paper that there is no truth to the claim that Arjun and I are anything more than friends.
I have begun a new phase in my life with hopes and expectations. As I work to establish and grow my work I am fully concentrated on my career. Today, my time and energy is completely consumed by my children and my work. My family, who have been beyond supportive, are now the foundation of my life.
I never was and am not an idle Bollywood wife who has all the time in the world to spread canards and lies that damage relationships and lives.
My heart goes out to Arjun and Mehr who are needlessly being drawn into this. I appeal to all responsible members of the press to look at this in a fair manner.
I have emerged stronger and focused and I pray that better judgment prevails in all those who wish to create a scandal where there is none.”
Its high time for TOI to understand the basics of journalism and not become storytellers just to augment their readership …as readers love objectivity and not rumours.
