Nepal Earthquake: On World Press Freedom Day, #GoHomeIndianMedia top Twitter trend

As Nepal picks up the pieces and gauges the extent of damage in the aftermath of last month's devastating earthquake that killed over 7,000 people and injured more than 14,000, some have found the relentless coverage by the Indian media far from perfect. On World Press Freedom Day, #GoHomeIndianMedia was a top trend, criticising the Indian media's "insensitive" reporting from its neighbouring state.

While grateful for the aid and help in rescue efforts, some sections of the media were called out for pitching the tragedy as a PR exercise for the Indian government. In a blog published on CNN, Sunita Shakya of Nepali origin writes, "Your media and media personnel are acting like they are shooting some kind of family serials." She also goes on to describe a couple of instances where she says the reporter did not do enough to help the injured person in need. "Thanks to tons of reporters who came to Nepal from those rescue planes of India, you took a seat where a victim could be transported to hospitals/ health camps. Thanks to you all reporters, you took a seat where a bag of food and supplies could be placed to send to those hardly hit places," she adds.  

However, some have also pointed out that the Indian media's spotlight on the calamity actually helped drive global aid and rescue efforts.

The criticism has once again put the spotlight on the do's and don'ts of reporting during natural disasters and calamities and started a fresh debate about whether journalists should do more than just capture the scenario and interview people after gaining access to critical areas during a disaster.   

An indian news reporter to a mother who's learnt her only son has been buried under their house. Q. How do you feel? #GoHomeIndianMedia

— Prasanna KC (@KC_Prasanna) May 3, 2015

Dear @narendramodi Our Dharahara have been fallen not our sovereignty! Sincerely Nepalese #GoHomeIndianMedia

— गरिमा (@iGarima1) May 3, 2015

Times Now reporter asks an injured woman did someone of yours die? She says my 10 year old daughter. He asks her the same thing 6 times ??

— Ratna Vishwanathan (@ratnadv) April 26, 2015

Oops, see what's trending in Nepal, #GoHomeIndianMedia Anger at "patriotic" channels forgetting Nep not Indian state pic.twitter.com/khfLJ5IFik

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) May 3, 2015

There r Journos who have gone to Nepal to cover Disaster. There r Journos who have gone to do PR for Dear Leader. The latter shamed India

— Joy (@Joydas) May 3, 2015

Indian earthquake relief is one thing, Indian (tv) media coverage of it quite something else. Cartoon by @mirsuhail pic.twitter.com/YWZTwvZJa4

— Kanak Mani Dixit (@KanakManiDixit) May 1, 2015

We neighbours have watched Indian TV askance, for competitive jingoism in reportage & talk shows. This explains much of #GoHomeIndianMedia

— Kanak Mani Dixit (@KanakManiDixit) May 3, 2015

Indian media coverage has been largely responsible for how the rest of the world sees the Nepal tragedy. Even driven global response. 1/2

— Indrani Bagchi (@horror06) May 3, 2015