Recently, cyclone Tauktae hit Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat coasts. As severe cyclonic storms along with rainfall hit coastal areas, visuals of destruction, including ravaged houses and uprooted trees, went viral, showing how dangerous the effects of this cyclone are.
Which is why, when a news channel sent a journalist in Mumbai to report the ground reality of the cyclone Tauktae, people online were shocked. In a video, the journalist is seen struggling to work and report the scenario amidst the strong winds and splashes of violent waves. Have a look:
#CycloneTauktae | Heavy rain, gusty winds lash Mumbai. NDTV's Purva Chitnis reports from Gateway of India pic.twitter.com/Lw2kCQAtq4
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 17, 2021
People online on Twitter expressed how sending journalists to cover such a natural calamity can be dangerous and unsafe. Many slammed the news channel for doing so. Have a look at some of the responses here:
Oh blimey. Why are they forcing her to report from there? 😭
— rizwan (@rizwankhan17_) May 17, 2021
Is it really required to report from the mouth of danger. Reporter can stay a bit farther to the guzzling sea. zoom it up with camera.
— Shantonu Roy (@shantonu_roy) May 17, 2021
No need to put the reporter through that. We get the point
— Damuloga seshadhri (@Karyakartadamu) May 17, 2021
However, there were some who said that it is called “ground reporting”, something that can be regarded as an occupational hazard.
its called ground reporting, and must be done, its called actual reporting and she stand their is somewhat safe as she stands at eastern coast of mumbai, and cyclone is at western coast of mumbai and at arabian sea
— NationFirst (@NationFirst__) May 17, 2021
But then, others were quick to point out that the safety of the reporter is more important.
Stay safe @ChitnisPurva, but why @ndtv is telling her to report from low lying areas.
It’s better to report the Conditions from some safe places.
We know that People should know the Ground reality but life of a reporter is also precious.— Ali علي (@Sk_AliMiyan) May 17, 2021
Salute to journalist covering the news in harsh rain. But she can stand on opposite side of road, there’s a place she can take shelter. Cameraman can zoom the waves from there.
— Pravin (@i_am_pravinw) May 17, 2021
This is bonkers to send out reporters in this state. This person is finding it hard to even keep the Mic in hold. Its always TRP vs Humanity.
— Shivasiddharth (@Siddhy1990) May 17, 2021
This is criminal act ,no meanings to put the life of this young journalist in danger .
— Ayskant Mishra (@AyskantM) May 17, 2021
Everyone knows what happens when a cyclone strikes. What’s need of sending reporter there?!
— Tantaniyu – ટણટણીયું 🏹 🚜 (@aarondxtr) May 17, 2021
Who will take responsibility if something happens to them??
— Dpearltimes (@dpearltimes) May 17, 2021
What do you think of the incident? Tell us.