On 14 September, Twitter was on fire with talk about a video put out by a leading news website, guiding site visitors to “ Deepika Padukone’s cleavage”. Deepika Padukone used social networking to put her point. She used Twitter to lash out against the media house responsible for putting out the video.
“Supposedly India’s ‘LEADING’ newspaper and this is ‘NEWS’!!??” tweeted out with a screenshot of a tweet put out by the company’s official account, which said: “OMG: Deepika Padukone’s cleavage show!” Soon, Padukone’s several colleagues – among them, influential film personalities – started coming out in the actor’s support, condemning the responsible media house, and lauding Padukone for her stance.
Hats- off to Deepika for coming forward to put forward her views in the male-dominated world. Even after that, Times of India didn’t apologise to Deepika Padukone. TOI in their editorial termed this as a publicity stunt for promotion of her upcoming movie.
In the world of paparazzi, sometime we forgot to follow the ethics. May be due to the wish to be in the top, the newspaper came up with the cheap headline. But now, it has crossed all the limits by putting forward their stand.
The fact remains that whatever medium you are, how big your organisation is, the basic journalism ethics remain the same. Times of India is now the big brand. TOI can’t get away by saying ‘Yes, perhaps this may not be right but that’s how things are, so you must get used to it’. Instead TOI should try to initiate a new and nice beginning by practicing ethical journalism.
Moreover, everyone is entitled to have their privacy and freedom to how to dress. Posing for Kingfisher calendar and zooming into a woman’s cleavage are two different thing. TOI made a story out of it with a headline that says “OMG! Deepika’s Cleavage Show” and posting pictures of her that she has posed for voluntarily.
Firstly, its her job. No need to comment. By stating this only has proved your sexist ideology. Nobody has any right to objectify her body for publicity without her knowledge.
Deepika’s outrage is not for the pictures were shown but it is the way it is shown and posted without her knowledge and permission. TOI, the point is ‘consent’. And that is the crux of the problem. By wearing the type of cloths or wardrobe malfunction doesn’t necessarily give rights to others to invade her privacy. And Privacy doesn’t mean confinement to 4 walls. It can be in open public space too.
Press has given the freedom after independence to fight for the people. But it doesn’t give you the right to misrepresent somebody or to use your power to play with someone’s image.
We have put the images Deepika to support her freedom of expression.
Number of celebrities supporting Deepika Padukone (#IStandWithDeepikaPadukone)
Arjun Rampal
I just read here in Malaysia about @deepikapadukone retort to cheap sensational journalism,well done girl.
— arjun rampal (@rampalarjun) September 15, 2014
Karan Johar
Appalled….shocked and disgusted at the level of disrespect shown..Deepika or any women in the world cannot and should not stand for this!!
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 14, 2014
Alia Bhatt
Seriously ballsy of @deepikapadukone to take on the media and call them out on their hypocrisy!! Our silence is always taken for granted!
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) September 15, 2014
Boman Irani
Complimenting a lady is a grace reserved for gentlemen! I stand on a tall tall chair and applaud you @deepikapadukone
— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) September 15, 2014
Sanjay Gupta
If you are even remotely self righteous and want to do the right thing then SUPPORT @deepikapadukone. THIS WOMAN ROCKS.
— Sanjay Gupta (@_SanjayGupta) September 14, 2014