By Anshul Tewari:
What is common between Times of India and journalism? Nothing! At a time when there is a consistent effort by many to tackle the blatant objectification of women by the mainstream media, ‘Times of India Entertain’ decided to objectify Deepika Padukone and reinforce the fact that the mainstream media has always played a role in objectifying women in India.
The tweet by @TOIEntertain read: “OMG: Deepika Padukone’s cleavage show!” with a video of Deepika, to which the actor gave a befitting reply:
Supposedly India's 'LEADING' newspaper and this is 'NEWS'!!?? pic.twitter.com/D3wiVVXuyM
— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014
YES!I am a Woman.I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??
— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014
She further called out the hypocrisy that mainstream media outlets like Times of India portray by talking about women empowerment on one end, and objectifying them on the other.
Dont talk about Woman's Empowerment when YOU don't know how to RESPECT Women!
— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014
In reply to Deepika, Times of India Entertain’s tweet got major backlash from people all over Twitter.
@deepikapadukone , It's a compliment! You look so great that we want to make sure everyone knew! 🙂
— TOI Entertainment (@TOIEntertain) September 14, 2014
Deepika had also recently come out openly in support of Shweta Basu Prasad.
Many activists, fellow actors and celebrities lashed out at TOI as well, supporting Deepika’s stand:
@deepikapadukone Bravo! Papers do this to actresses, sportswomen regularly. They need to be shamed & exposed.
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) September 14, 2014
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
@deepikapadukone absolutely disgusting that this is what they choose to write about! Good on you for speaking up against this bullshit! Xxx
— Ileana D'Cruz (@Ileana_Official) September 14, 2014
Media attacks a celeb's personal & professional life all the time but this is a new low! Tku for speaking out @deepikapadukone! #Shame #TOI
— SOPHIE CHOUDRY (@Sophie_Choudry) September 14, 2014
Mainstream media outlets have definitely played a role in the glorified objectification of women in the past. What makes it worse is that more often than not, media outlets fail to realize that such objectification leads to the growth of rape culture in India. For the longest, the media has looked away from such criticism and decided to go on with their reportage centered around women and their bodies, but times need to change.
Since the infamous December 16th Delhi gang-rape case, the reporting on rape has definitely grown and more and more cases are coming to light by the day, but is that it? Does reporting mean the end of the responsibility that the mainstream media needs to play when it comes to their idea of journalism? Definitely not! In times when religion, patriarchy and the status-quo decides how women should be and behave, the need is for the mainstream media to shatter these beliefs and systems that create a regressive culture for women by objectifying them.
However, the question is, can we expect a media revolution any time soon?