Peerzada Masarat Shah
In an era where the camera’s lens often wields more power than the spoken word, politics in Kashmir has taken on the trappings of a catwalk—albeit one where the models never auditioned. When Ifra Jan, a Kashmiri political figure known for her fiery rhetoric and unapologetic ideological stances, recently called out certain media outlets for their unethical practices, the conversation veered not to her message but to her appearance. This incident exposes a troubling trend in modern journalism: the obsession with image over substance, particularly when it comes to women in politics.
Ifra Jan’s grievance was specific. She expressed frustration over news portals using unflattering, mid-sentence photographs of her during interviews—shots that capture her in awkward, unguarded moments. Her demand was straightforward: use a pre-approved photo she provided, one she believes better represents her dignity and professionalism. If not, she warned, legal action might follow. To some, this may seem like a petty complaint, a politician fussing over aesthetics in a world where thicker skin is a job requirement. But beneath the surface lies a deeper issue: the media’s role in perpetuating a culture that trivializes women leaders, undermines their credibility, and reduces complex political discourse to a snapshot.
Politics Is Not a Fashion Shoot
Let’s be clear: politics is not a Vogue cover shoot. Politicians are not expected to glide across a stage in perfectly tailored outfits, pausing for the flash of cameras. Their role is to debate, challenge, represent, and lead—often in high-stakes, emotionally charged environments. The mid-sentence freeze-frame, with eyes half-closed or hands mid-gesture, is an occupational hazard of public life. The internet thrives on such images, turning them into memes that circulate for laughs. But when these images are deliberately chosen or manipulated to demean, the issue transcends aesthetics and touches on ethics.
Ifra Jan herself articulated this with precision: “Politics isn’t a fashion shoot where models approve the frames. Journalists’ cameras capture you as you are. The issue isn’t the frame, it’s what’s inside it.” Her words cut through the noise, reminding us that the media’s focus should be on a politician’s message, not their appearance. Yet, time and again, newsrooms prioritize clicks over substance, selecting images that sensationalize rather than inform.
This is not a phenomenon unique to Kashmir. Across the globe, women in politics face disproportionate scrutiny over their appearance. In 2019, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced a barrage of media commentary about her clothing choices, with one outlet famously critiquing her for wearing a “pricey” jacket—ignoring the fact that it was a second-hand purchase. Similarly, in India, politicians like Mamata Banerjee and Smriti Irani have been judged more for their sarees or facial expressions than their policies. When male leaders like Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi scowl during a speech, it’s framed as intensity or conviction. When a woman does the same, it’s often labeled as aggression or emotional instability. The double standard is glaring.
Respect: A Lesson from Home, Not the Newsroom
Ifra Jan didn’t stop at critiquing media practices. She took aim at the root of the issue, stating that respect for women—particularly women in public life—is a value instilled at home, not in a newsroom. It’s a stinging rebuke, suggesting that the problem lies not in journalistic training but in a deeper cultural failure. If a journalist believes it’s acceptable to demean a woman leader by publishing a distorted or unflattering image, the issue is not a lack of technical skill but a lack of basic decency.
This resonates deeply in South Asia, where patriarchal norms often seep into media coverage. In Pakistan, for instance, former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar faced relentless commentary about her handbags and sunglasses, overshadowing her diplomatic achievements. In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s attire has often been dissected more than her governance record. These examples underscore a troubling reality: women in politics are judged by a different yardstick, one that prioritizes their appearance over their intellect.
Ideology vs. Ethics: A Rare Consensus
What makes Ifra Jan’s case particularly compelling is the rare consensus it has sparked. Even those who disagree with her political positions—some of whom have criticized her for alleged disrespect toward the revered Islamic scholar Agha Syed Hadi—have rallied to her defense against the media’s unethical conduct. This is a heartening sign of democratic maturity. It demonstrates that one can oppose someone’s ideology while still condemning injustice against them. In a polarized world, this ability to separate personal beliefs from principles of fairness is a beacon of hope.
This phenomenon is not unique to Kashmir. In 2017, when Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young faced sexist remarks in parliament, even her political opponents condemned the behavior, emphasizing that ideological differences do not justify personal attacks. Such moments remind us that democracy thrives when we uphold basic human dignity, regardless of political allegiance.
The Slippery Slope of “Modified Media”
The danger of this media trend extends far beyond one politician’s bruised ego. When newsrooms prioritize unflattering or manipulated images over substantive reporting, they risk eroding the public’s trust in journalism itself. If a politician’s credibility is judged by a mid-blink screenshot rather than their policy proposals, we slide into a dangerous territory where politics becomes a beauty contest. This is not hyperbole. In 2020, a viral image of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with disheveled hair dominated headlines, overshadowing critical Brexit negotiations. The media’s fixation on optics diluted the public’s focus on substantive issues.
In Kashmir, where political complexities—jobs, security, governance, and representation—demand rigorous discourse, this obsession with appearances is particularly damaging. The region’s challenges require nuanced reporting, not sensationalist snapshots. When the media reduces a leader like Ifra Jan to a poorly timed photograph, it distracts from the real issues at stake, undermining the democratic process.
A Sarcastic Glimpse into the Future
Ifra Jan’s threat of legal action may seem excessive to some, but it serves as a wake-up call for media outlets. If journalists cannot self-regulate, external accountability—whether through public backlash or the courts—may be inevitable. Imagine a dystopian future headline: “Politicians Now Required to Submit Pre-Approved Selfies Before Interviews. Failure to Pose Correctly Will Result in Disqualification.” Absurd? Perhaps. But given the current trajectory, it’s not entirely far-fetched.
Beyond the Frame
Ifra Jan’s ordeal is a microcosm of a larger problem. Women in politics deserve to be judged by their words, ideas, and actions—not by a frozen moment captured at the worst possible millisecond. Whether you align with her politics or not, the principle at stake is universal: media practices that distort or demean undermine the very democracy they claim to serve.
The next time a journalist is tempted to publish a mid-sneeze photo for clicks, they should pause and reflect: Am I reporting news, or am I mocking a human being? Because politics is messy, democracy is challenging, and respect—basic, human respect—requires no camera. It requires a conscience. In a world obsessed with appearances, let’s demand that journalism refocus on what truly matters: the substance within the frame.
