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Newslaundry
Newslaundry
National
Manisha Pande

TV Newsance 323 | Distraction Files: India is choking. But TV news is distracting

On this week’s TV Newsance, while India observed Constitution Day, our beloved Godijeevis did what they do best — lose themselves in Ram Mandir flag-hoisting visuals. Hours of primetime were spent decoding Prime Minister Modi’s “body language”, “divine emotions”, and “historic hand gestures”… all while Delhi gasped through its worst pollution spell of the year.

And when they weren’t celebrating saffron flags, anchors were manufacturing an “Urban Naxal” crisis out of a protest by… 22 students. Yes, 22. The same anchors who once performed live asthma attacks when AAP was in power now suddenly don’t know who to blame for the AQI crossing 500.

The lone exception? Sonam Mehrotra Kapoor of India Today — one of the very few who actually remembered that journalism is supposed to serve the public.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor was busy promoting hot-air balloon rides as “world-class infrastructure”. Because what better solution to pollution than literally floating above it?

Also in the episode: We break down what this toxic air is doing to your lungs — and why nobody in power wants to talk about it.

Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts below!

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Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.

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