Jacintha Saldanha suicide:Pranks gone wrong

What was the prank?

Two presenters from Australia's 2DayFM radio station, Mel Greigand Michael Christian, called King Edward VII hospital, pretending to be William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth and his father Prince Charles.

Despite unconvincing accents, presenters Michael Christian and Mel Greig were put through to the ward where Kate was being treated and were given details about how she was faring.

Saldanha, who shifted to Britain from Mangalore some 10 years ago, had answered the call as it was early morning and there were no receptionists on duty, and had passed it to a nurse on the ward.

A recording of the call was widely available on the Internet and many newspapers printed a transcript of the call.

She is believed to have killed herself after suffering the humiliation of having to listen to her voice on television and radio asking the pretend Queen to hold on while she passed on the call to Kate's nurse.

Her death comes days after the King Edward VII hospital apologised for being duped by an Australian radio station and relaying details about Kate's condition which made headlines around the globe.

"It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha," John Lofthouse, the King Edward's chief executive told reporters outside the central London hospital.

"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her throughout this difficult time."

The radio station launched its stunt in the wake of a frenzy of media attention in Britain and worldwide after officials announced Kate was pregnant with a future British king or queen.

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While I am sorry for her death. The two hosts did not cause her suicide.Charging them for murder will not bring her back nor will it bring any solace to her family. People have to realize that this was a joke gone horribly wrong, but she was not intentionally harmed.The hosts did not badger her or shame her or bully her. I feel bad for her family and all that they are going through, but lets not forget that she had the ultimate say in whether she lived or died. 

Suicide is a not a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

People Without Facebook Accounts Are 'Suspicious

Things have changed. Now we all need is to be  able to respond to email immediately. And to tweet,share our photos on Facebook. We’re all addicted to technology now, to our iPhones, and Facebook, and Twitter, and Android, and Pinterest, and iPads, and Word with Friends, and <fill-in-the-blank-with-your-digital-dope-of-choice>

The sudden and dramatic rise of social-media-enabling technologies into our lives seems to be causing some mid-digital-life crisis. Not only has Silicon Valley developed a guilty conscience about addicting us to screens, we the users are starting to question how technology is changing us: making us fat, making us unhealthy, making us depressed, making us lonely, and making us waste time worrying about whether it’s making us fat, unhealthy, depressed, and/or lonely.

I am writing with some words of caution. I used to say that “if you’re not on Facebook, it’s possible you don’t actually exist.” I think it’s time to update that, courtesy of Slashdot: Facebook abstainers will be labeled suspicious.

Slashdot flagged a German news story in which an expert noted that mass murderers Anders Breivik and James Holmes both lacked much of a social media presence, leading to the conclusion, in Slashdot’s phrasing, that “not having a Facebook account could be the first sign that you are a mass murderer.

Not just love seekers who worry about what the lack of a Facebook account means. I've heard both job seekers and employers wonder aloud about what it means if a job candidate doesn't have a Facebook account. Does it mean they deactivated it because it was full of red flags? Are they hiding something?

But it does seem that increasingly, it’s expected that everyone is on Facebook in some capacity, and that a negative assumption is starting to arise about those who reject the Big Blue Giant’s siren call. Continuing to navigate life without having this digital form of identification may be like trying to get into a bar without a driver’s license.

So any of your friend doesn't have a Facebook Account?

Artist Interview with RJ Vishwas

Before writing this post, I would like to Thank Vishwas for bearing with me for my long (in terms of time) Interview.

So let me Introduce you people about this RJ

Have learnt bharatanatyam at the age of 2 yrs .

Have acted in 18 kannada films 

Won the best child artiste for the kannada movie Kraurya (National award -1995-1996)

Won the KANFIDA award for the same

Won the title prathiba Rathna by murigha rajendra swami

The Only RJ from Karnataka to enter into LIMCA book of records in 2008-09.

6+yrs of radio experience and 9 yrs of media experience (Vjng etc).

Currently Programming head @ BIG FM Mangalore

So This is how our Interview goes!!!

What do you love to do the most in this life?

-Make the most of this life. I may be ticking towards my 30's in couple of years but i believe i do have the experience of a 50 year old coz we don't make the most of what we have. time, education career etc.

I would want to have a road being named after me in Mangalore !!!! crazy am not  freedom fighter nor celeb but why? may be a day will come :) 

Well ,who are your greatest inspiration of all times??

-Source of inspiration are the Haves and have not's

 Those who have made a name for themself and climbed the ladder of success and have seen the better world are one part

secondly are those who are devoid of opportunity and have made it to some level but cannot go further are the second set of inspiration.

we sometimes think- compare -evaluate ourselves with others and thats how I get inspired- a task to begin- proceed-progress and achieve..

My dad has always been in the forefront, irrespective of my academic background he helped me go through the wind in radio field .

According to you, What is an Indian media  and what are its room for improvement?

-Indian media means a lot ; It is a mode of impact generating machine and we know media influences people and in our society this has been the best example. there is always a cat fight for breaking news ; innovative concepts in print; electronic and broadcast media.

There is always a scope for improvement

• crime news has become the focal point of attraction; 
• bogus news like 2012 ; earthquakes mishaps become the 7pm news
• politicization of news is to be avoided.
• some are youth friendly programmes but again TRP is the question
• some channels are on the verge of being stereotype; if one reality show is in forest; other will be in village or abroad!!!

Rather media should mould people to give Correct information and have debates and entertainment together.

What would you wish to do for a better society using mass media? 

-As a responsible jock i have done the following within my permissible limits:

The mayor of the city corporation was invited to studio and he donated 50,000/- to the Blind girl who called up to my show and narrated her story in the show this was the Best human interest story i have done so far

Secondly on radio a lady was given a job who was in need of it by a gram udyog person.

As responsible citizens and especially in media ,i would try to make known people the facts and at the same time give them entertainment.

Highlight concepts about society and involve them with the plans on air in radio.

Do you want to mention people at work or surroundings to thank you for what you are now?

-My parents- dad and mom for giving me the liberty to pursue my passion as my career. My colleagues from Mirchi especially Kiran Kumar, Raghavendra KJ, Fahim , Ganesh iyer , Jimmy Xavier, Pramod  because of whom am independently able to handle a station and also think about content ; on airplanes etc. My friends Shreesha and Vignesh for supporting me since 13 years; and to my better half who is my strongest critic and guides me in every step and is with me as my best friend and spouse.

To god for bestowing talent and giving opportunity without which Vishwas would just be another name ... 

Good work RJ. way to go. Wish you all the luck for your Future

-Prakhyath Rai 

Blog Admin