The recent tragedy in Pandrethan, Srinagar, where an entire family of five lost their lives due to asphyxiation, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the fragility of life. But even more disturbing than the tragedy itself is the unethical and reprehensible conduct of certain individuals and media outlets exploiting the grief of this bereaved family for cheap views and likes.
The Voice of Kashmir, a news portal run by Sheikh Imran, who stooped to an appalling low by posting pictures of the deceased family members lying lifeless in their room. This brazen act of sensationalism, devoid of any respect for the sanctity of the dead or the grief of their surviving loved ones, is a direct assault on basic human decency.
What kind of society are we becoming when a family’s private tragedy is splashed across social media for engagement metrics? How can anyone, claiming to represent journalism, justify such a shameless disregard for ethical standards? Sheikh Imran’s live appearance to “report” this tragedy, while parading these graphic images on his Facebook page, is nothing short of a grotesque mockery of the very principles of responsible journalism.
This is not reporting—it is exploitation. It is a cheap stunt aimed at allegedly garnering clicks and likes, all while profiting off the unimaginable pain of a family that has been silenced forever. Such actions are not just unprofessional; they are inhumane. They reduce a deeply personal tragedy to mere content, stripping away any sense of dignity from the deceased and adding salt to the wounds of their grieving relatives.
Responsible journalism carries a duty to inform the public while upholding ethical standards, respecting privacy, and showing compassion in the face of tragedy. What The Voice of Kashmir and Sheikh Imran have done is the polar opposite—they have weaponized a family’s death for fleeting online validation. This isn’t journalism; it’s exploitation at its ugliest.
It is high time society calls out such disgraceful practices. Regulatory bodies, journalistic associations, and the general public must condemn this blatant violation of ethical norms. Sheikh Imran and The Voice of Kashmir owe an apology not just to the family of the deceased but to every Kashmiri whose sense of decency has been affronted by this act.
Let us not forget that behind the headlines, behind the numbers, and behind the sensationalist photos, there were five lives lost—a mother, a father, and three innocent children. They deserved dignity in life, and they certainly deserved respect in death. Let us vow to never let anyone turn our collective tragedies into their personal circus. This madness must stop.
