[Chetan_Rao]

Disclaimer 1: I did not want to derail either the 'Accidents In India' or 'Exotic Car Crashes' thread by posting there, but this topic deserves to be discussed and reported, since the usual 'mass' media seems to be in no mood to do so.

Disclaimer 2: I was neither present at the scene of the crash myself, nor do I know anyone else who was. I do not intend to speculate about the circumstances or the consequences of the crash, or the identity of the 'alleged' driver.


I just have a few simple questions: Why is no respectable media house covering this incident? Every single report (however mundane and non-incriminating/accusatory) has either been edited to remove names or taken down completely.

If there's nothing to hide, why the enforced black-out? If we aren't supposed to believe rumors, whom do we believe if nobody credible even bothers to investigate and report it?

Where are the self-proclaimed investigative champions of the people, who cry themselves hoarse at the slightest pretext? Or is it every man protecting his own piece of the pie?

If this is what journalism has come down to in our country, we should be ashamed. Really ashamed.

[apachelongbow]

Its the usual, rich business house thinking they are above the law, using all kinds of powers to manipulate facts and either hide the truth or send out their own version of the truth. Not blaming or naming any business house, but all these big companies/celebrities/politicos have an efficient PR department, who hide/bribe/spin out facts to suit their image.
The easiest thing to do in-case your family member is involved in a fatal crash is to blame the driver/bribe him into spending a few years in jail (if any), and escape. This classic formula has been used since like forever!!!
If it were a smaller business house and not the country's largest corporate, the media would have been hounding them and all kinds of articles would have been written, but these guys are so big and connected, that they seem to put a lid on our media too.

[deathwalkr]

It was indeed strange but not surprising considering the people involved :(

http://in.news.yahoo.com/aston-marti...060911470.html

[Lalvaz]

Neither surprising nor strange, some people are above the law. We all should be aware of that by now. And about the media, well we know their limitations, so can understand their hands are tied in this matter.

[devilwearsprada]

The problem is journalism in this country is a selective filtering mechanism. What comes as breaking news, is not actually breaking, but is presented as one.

However, what I would say is that this is just a normal Car accident, where both the people in the other two cars are safe and sound with very minor injuries.

Now coming to the AM, we are not even sure whether the person driving it belonged to the family or not. So, lets put our judgmental skills to a rest, and ignore the hunger for media masala as this is just another car accident which involves a high-speed car.

[Octane_Power]

The family in discussion here is so powerful that to hide such an incidence is just peanuts for them. Forget this accident, the man is also said to have been consulted before the Government formulates crucial business laws and amendments.
It is but natural that he will not let such a thing tarnish his son's image.
This is why I hate our country. Had it been some country like Russia, the brat would have been serving his term behind bars by now..

-Bhargav

[drmohitg]

We talk about media being biased. Aren't we biased? There was no casualty in this accident. There are hundreds of such accidents occurring daily in the country. So why are we dedicating space and an exclusive thread to this incident? Only because it involves a big name? There are always 2 sides to a coin.

[GTO]

Since there were no casualties, it's really not a big deal from the news point of view. Pretty much local news and Mumbai Mirror has indeed covered it.

That said, the silence from others is surprising, considering how our news hungry websites & channels convert any small development to 'breaking news'. There is definitely more than meets the eye here.

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by nareshov

Because the hundreds of casualties that do occur daily in the country don't always raise one's eye brows to the same extent as this. Check out the Yahoo news link posted above and you'll see why.

What raises your eyebrows in this incident? Infact I am actually proud that the Cops are atleast thinking or trying to find the real culprit and not just putting charges on the driver who came forward claiming responsibility. Even the eye witness in the other car said that she doesn't remember seeing the face of the culprit which gives the cops enough reason to just arrest the driver who is claiming responsibility. So where is the bias? For the media I would hate them to cover this incident in detail since there were no casualty. Otherwise they go on there usual routine of portraying the luxury car owner as a monster out loose on our streets abusing the common poor man.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

There are hundreds of such accidents occurring daily in the country. [b]So why are we dedicating space and an exclusive thread to this incident?

In all other accidents, the driver owns up the accident & is there to face any consequence by police or judiciary. But in this case people suspect the driver was 'switch'ed. Eyewitness recall the actual driver was greatly different from the one who owned up the next day. Hence the interest in this unusual incident.

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by msdivy

In all other accidents, the driver owns up the accident & is there to face any consequence by police or judiciary. But in this case people suspect the driver was 'switch'ed. Eyewitness recall the actual driver was greatly different from the one who owned up the next day. Hence the interest in this unusual incident.

Sorry I do not agree. People suspect that the driver was switched because :
1. Its a 4.5 Cr luxury car and its very much easy and fun to view such a rich man/family as a corrupt and deceitful one. This is the normal reaction each time a luxury car is involved.

2. The car is registered to Reliance industries, one of the biggest names in India and hence everyone wants to play sherlock and smells a conspiracy.

The eye witness's report, some girl from one of the cars involved, says that she doesn't recollect the face of the culprit.

I am playing the devil's advocate here although deep down even I am convinced that the culprit must have been switched for the simple reason that a mere chauffeur driving an Aston martin would not be followed with two Honda CRVs as escort vehicles to whisk him away. But that cannot be proved in court.

[SmartCat]

You need to be suspicious only if media reports the incident, makes a big deal out of it with the help of hyperventilating news anchors and then forgets all about it suddenly. Only then, it means that money has changed hands.

Originally Posted by GTO

Since there were no casualties, it's really not a big deal from the news point of view.

Exactly! The media needs a body count to make the item newsworthy. Also, ideally, the Aston Martin should have crashed into a bicycle or an autorickshaw, instead of a Rs. 30L Audi and a Rs. 20L Elantra.

[rajeev k]

If an accident happens and if there is no casualties, then it is quite normal practice for the parties involved to settle the issue. A General Diary entry in the Police station under whose jurisdiction the accident site falls is enough to claim insurance compensation. Moreover, if the Audi and the Elantra owners agrees with the Aston Martin's owner and if they are compensated, then there is nothing more to it.

[carboy]

They have a stake in many channels. And they advertise on the others. Owners and advertisers control Indian news channels anyway - it's not particular to this case. The same thing is done by the Govt also. What do you think all these 'polio shots' ads are for? They give the Govt control over media. Why do you think the US had a "war against drugs" campaign going on for a decade?

[Spinnerr]

On a lighter note...

News in UnReal Times link