The quality of journalism is undoubtedly at an all-time low. We live in the Twitter age, when so-called journalists and editors are more interested in slapping a few words together and moving on to the next scandal. In fact, I often wonder if these news establishments even have editors! The once-renowned news outlets are now nothing more than tabloids. The news media in the US is glaringly culpable in this respect, with headlines ending in question marks, some even erroneous just to generate outrage leading to mouse clicks. Case in point, from today's version of www.cnn.com: "People are tattooing their WHAT?!". This is a video link, no less.
As a kid growing up in India, I used to look up to The Hindu as an example of exemplary journalism. The articles were actually news reports, except for the Editorials that focused on opinions. Tuesdays were a point of anticipation for their Know Your English section, which would humorously and lightly elaborate on a specific point of potential confusion in the use of the language.
Now, The Hindu is no different than the rest: trigger-happy tweet-mongers with no shame to even adjust their hasty submissions after they go live (and after a reader actually takes the trouble to point out the gaffes). Here is the latest from The Hindu's mad offerings:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/tejpal-fails-to-make-it-to-mothers-funeral/article6025932.ece?homepage=true
The "article" is reproduced below to showcase the glorious jumble of text to which the author has proudly ascribed his name in public:
Quote:
English teachers could perhaps use the above example in their question papers, asking students to first identify, then fix the numerous errors.
As a kid growing up in India, I used to look up to The Hindu as an example of exemplary journalism. The articles were actually news reports, except for the Editorials that focused on opinions. Tuesdays were a point of anticipation for their Know Your English section, which would humorously and lightly elaborate on a specific point of potential confusion in the use of the language.
Now, The Hindu is no different than the rest: trigger-happy tweet-mongers with no shame to even adjust their hasty submissions after they go live (and after a reader actually takes the trouble to point out the gaffes). Here is the latest from The Hindu's mad offerings:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/tejpal-fails-to-make-it-to-mothers-funeral/article6025932.ece?homepage=true
The "article" is reproduced below to showcase the glorious jumble of text to which the author has proudly ascribed his name in public:
Quote:
Tejpal fails to make it to mother's funeral
PRAKASH KAMAT
Tarun Tejpal, who was granted interim bail by Supreme Court in view of the death of his mother, could not reach for the final rites held at St. Inez crematorium here on Monday. The rites were held at 5.45 pm. Monty Tejpal, younger brother of Tarun Tejpal lit the pyre in the presence of close family members, relatives and friends.
Tejpal’s father Inderjit, journalist Anirudh Bahel, among others were present.
Ms. Shakuntala Tejpal (89), who was suffering from cancer, died on Sunday evening at Moira house of Tejpal in north Goa.
Family was clearly sad that Tejpal, who, a family source said, was very close to his mother.
Unquote.English teachers could perhaps use the above example in their question papers, asking students to first identify, then fix the numerous errors.
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