Disclaimer:
This blog is a neutral commentary—not intended to defame any individual, brand, or media organization. It highlights a curious media contradiction and promotes awareness for better advertising responsibility and health messaging.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Health Advice on Top, Pan Masala Ad Below: What’s Happening on Indian News?
Picture this: you’re watching a prime-time news segment, and the anchor is urgently warning viewers about the rising health risks of consuming too many deep-fried snacks—think samosas, jalebis, pakoras. The tone is serious, the graphics intense. But just as you’re absorbing the health warning, your eyes drift to the bottom of the screen—where a glossy, high-budget ad for Vimal Elaichi plays cheerfully, complete with the familiar “Zubaan Kesari” tagline. The irony couldn’t be more striking.
This isn’t just a one-off moment. It’s a recurring contradiction in modern Indian media—where public health advice is paired with ads that subtly promote harmful habits. How did we get here? And more importantly, what impact is this having on viewers like you who are trying to make informed health decisions?
This blog dives deep into this curious yet concerning trend. We’ll explore how surrogate advertising works, why such ad placements are more than just bad timing, and how they might be undermining the very health messages we rely on. You’ll also discover what steps media houses, advertisers, regulators, and even everyday viewers can take to bring back integrity to our screens.
So, if you’ve ever watched the news and felt confused by mixed signals—this post is for you. Stay with us as we break down what’s really going on behind the scenes, why it matters more than you think, and how you can be part of the change.
Let’s unpack the real story behind Health Advice on Top, Pan Masala Ad Below: What’s Happening on Indian News?
The Story Behind the Split Frame
Let me tell you a quick story—one that’s far too common these days.
Satiya, a dedicated school teacher from Jaipur, had just wrapped up a long day of teaching and preparing lesson plans. Like many others, she settled into her evening routine with a cup of tea and switched on the TV to watch the health bulletin—a segment she trusted to keep her informed and cautious about daily lifestyle choices.
That day, the anchor was highlighting the dangers of consuming deep-fried street foods. The message was clear: excessive intake of oily snacks like samosas and jalebis could increase cholesterol, impact heart health, and contribute to long-term illnesses. The segment was packed with expert interviews, shocking statistics, and animated charts showing India’s growing burden of lifestyle diseases.
But as Satiya absorbed the information, something didn’t sit right. Her gaze shifted ever so slightly downward—just below the anchor’s image—and there it was: a vibrant, glossy ad for Vimal Elaichi playing in full color. The jingle was upbeat. The branding unmistakable. “Zubaan Kesari,” the screen proclaimed with pride.
She froze for a moment. A wave of confusion—and irony—washed over her.
On one hand, the screen was warning her to make better food choices for the sake of her health. On the other, it was glamorizing a product that, to her, had always been associated with pan masala and the wider surrogate marketing culture tied to tobacco-linked products.
That moment made her pause and reflect:
What kind of message are we really sending to viewers?
Are we promoting health and wellness—or simply offering a fragmented, contradictory experience that prioritizes ad revenue over public responsibility?
Satiya’s story may seem small, but it represents a much larger issue. It highlights how subtle media contradictions can confuse everyday viewers, water down important health messaging, and normalize the coexistence of guidance and temptation—all on the same screen.
And if someone as health-conscious and aware as Satiya could feel misled, what about the millions who aren’t critically analyzing what they see?
It’s time we look deeper at how these moments affect trust, choices, and ultimately, public well-being. Because health advice on top, pan masala ad below isn’t just a technical glitch—it’s a symbol of a larger media dilemma.
Why This Matters
1. Surrogate Advertising and Legal Gaps
This kind of contradiction isn’t unique to pan masala alone. Even something as basic as paneer—considered a staple in many Indian homes—has fallen victim to misleading practices. If you think what’s sold as “paneer” is always the real deal, you might want to read The Paneer Paradox: How to Identify Real Paneer in a Market Flooded With Fakes. It sheds light on how brands and sellers misrepresent everyday products, much like how surrogate marketing masks more harmful associations.
2. Public Health at Stake
Smokeless tobacco and pan masala products carry documented health risks—ranging from oral cancer to cardiovascular diseases. Despite public awareness campaigns, their consumption remains high—often driven by misleading or glamorized advertising.
Recommended Video:
Fake Paneer का पर्दाफाश | Viral Iodine Test Truth
3. Erosion of Trust in Media Messaging
When responsible journalism and promotional content clash on screen, viewers like Satiya receive conflicting signals. Over time, these inconsistencies erode public trust: if health warnings are coupled with enticing ads, the message becomes confusing and less credible.
What Can Be Done? Actionable Steps
Media Outlets
- Carefully screen ad placements, particularly during health segments.
- Protect editorial integrity by not prioritizing ad revenue over message clarity.
Advertisers
- Avoid masking harmful products through surrogate content.
- Align brand messaging with genuine health awareness, not just attractive packaging.
Regulators & Watchdogs
- Strengthen regulations around surrogate advertising.
- Actively monitor and penalize misleading or contradictory ad practices.
Viewers & Citizens
- Raise your voice on social media or directly with TV channels when you notice conflicting messaging.
- Support media platforms and influencers promoting consistent, health-conscious communication.
Bringing It Back to Our Story
Remember Satiya? She took a screenshot of that news segment and shared it with her local WhatsApp group. What followed was an eye-opening discussion. Neighbors began realizing how common such contradictions had become. That one post turned into a moment of awareness—a tiny spark that could lead to a bigger change.
This blog is part of that change. It’s an invitation to pay closer attention and ask better questions about the media we consume.
Toward a More Responsible Media Future
The coexistence of serious health warnings and contradictory product advertisements—often in the same frame, at the same time—is more than just an editorial oversight. It’s a reflection of a deeper misalignment between public service and commercial interest. And it’s happening on screens across the country.
Whether it’s pan masala ads airing beneath health alerts, junk food sponsors during fitness shows, or celebrity endorsements that confuse more than they clarify—the responsibility lies with all of us to push for better, clearer, and more ethical messaging.
If you’re a media professional, this is your moment to rethink priorities. Ad revenue is important, yes—but not at the cost of public trust. When health advice is delivered on one part of the screen and an opposing message on the other, your audience walks away confused, not informed.
If you’re an advertiser or brand, understand the power of association. The visuals, timings, and platforms where your ads appear carry meaning. Associating with wellness is not just a marketing tactic—it should be a value-driven commitment.
If you’re a regulator, these are the gaps that need to be filled. Surrogate advertising has thrived in legal grey zones for too long. Stronger oversight, updated laws, and active monitoring aren’t optional anymore—they’re essential.
And if you’re a viewer, never underestimate your voice. When you spot these contradictions, call them out. Share them. Discuss them. Push your platforms to do better. Because real change begins with awareness—and awareness begins with you.
The phrase “Health Advice on Top, Pan Masala Ad Below” shouldn’t become the new normal. It should remain what it is: a contradiction worth fixing.
Let’s move toward a media ecosystem that values integrity over irony, where health messaging is not just placed on top—but carried all the way through.
🎓 10k+ Trained ( 📍 Jaipur )
💪 Helping change people’s lives
🌿 Most trusted lifestyle counselor