(Nothing has gone right for India during the recent attacks on Mumbai. One of the aspect is Media)
The attacks in Mumbai has sent shock waves across the world. The terrorists tried proving India is as vulnerable as Pakistan, when it comes to Business by striking at the financial capital of India. But, events that has happened as a part of the operation of rescue, has only indicated that there is a lot of home work for India to be done: in its Governance, Intelligence, ATS, Media and ofcourse People.
The media's desperate moves towards increasing TRP ratings are evident at every point of the telecast. Starts with NDTV, and all the way to IBN, Aaj-Tak, TimesNow, everyone were busy with 'Live' telecast of the scenes and horror of the situation. Well, though I am a strong supporter of media, and 'freedom of expression' and press, there were several issues which pointed out that perhaps Media, (atleast this time), acted completely as per their 'whims', representing the case of 'Freedom without responsibility'.
The NDTV continues their 'cricket style commentary', using a continuous terms like 'strategy', and 'numbers'. The channels were insistent on re-iterating about certain pictures and coverage as 'exclusive and only', as if its some 'Page-3' content. The background and way of presentation of Aaj-Tak in itself seemed like a 'terrorist attack', quite successful in making its veiwers feel their nerves breaking apart or heart beating hard to their chests. The usual harrassment to the victims was a common event during the two days. The police officers, the Commandos are repeatedly asked about their next course of action, their 'idea' on who might have attacked.
The media was so 'close' and 'informative' to the operations that the terrorists were viewing channels in the hotels of Taj and Oberoi to know the next action plan of Indian Army. Even after the 'requests' by Indian Govt. to delay the 'live' and even after knowing their indirect abetting to the terrorists, the media continued with their news roll, with utmost sincereity and dedication. The remark of the BBC reporter that they have seem in 'no country' that media is 'allowed' to 'intrude' so much into a situation like that, probably sums it all.
The operation has ended in 2 days with about 200 deceased and almost 400 casualities. The Government, and the intellectuals say that we cannot completely blame media for what has happened because there were never strigent laws on Telecast or news, especially onto the situations like this. But, let us understand one thing: 'Law' and 'rules' cannot instill 'sense' or 'patrotism' cant be brought into people by a few pledges and 'laws'. Atleast, with our media boasting of world class journalists, we can only 'hope' of more responsible attitude, and we pray for it.
The attacks in Mumbai has sent shock waves across the world. The terrorists tried proving India is as vulnerable as Pakistan, when it comes to Business by striking at the financial capital of India. But, events that has happened as a part of the operation of rescue, has only indicated that there is a lot of home work for India to be done: in its Governance, Intelligence, ATS, Media and ofcourse People.
The media's desperate moves towards increasing TRP ratings are evident at every point of the telecast. Starts with NDTV, and all the way to IBN, Aaj-Tak, TimesNow, everyone were busy with 'Live' telecast of the scenes and horror of the situation. Well, though I am a strong supporter of media, and 'freedom of expression' and press, there were several issues which pointed out that perhaps Media, (atleast this time), acted completely as per their 'whims', representing the case of 'Freedom without responsibility'.
The NDTV continues their 'cricket style commentary', using a continuous terms like 'strategy', and 'numbers'. The channels were insistent on re-iterating about certain pictures and coverage as 'exclusive and only', as if its some 'Page-3' content. The background and way of presentation of Aaj-Tak in itself seemed like a 'terrorist attack', quite successful in making its veiwers feel their nerves breaking apart or heart beating hard to their chests. The usual harrassment to the victims was a common event during the two days. The police officers, the Commandos are repeatedly asked about their next course of action, their 'idea' on who might have attacked.
The media was so 'close' and 'informative' to the operations that the terrorists were viewing channels in the hotels of Taj and Oberoi to know the next action plan of Indian Army. Even after the 'requests' by Indian Govt. to delay the 'live' and even after knowing their indirect abetting to the terrorists, the media continued with their news roll, with utmost sincereity and dedication. The remark of the BBC reporter that they have seem in 'no country' that media is 'allowed' to 'intrude' so much into a situation like that, probably sums it all.
The operation has ended in 2 days with about 200 deceased and almost 400 casualities. The Government, and the intellectuals say that we cannot completely blame media for what has happened because there were never strigent laws on Telecast or news, especially onto the situations like this. But, let us understand one thing: 'Law' and 'rules' cannot instill 'sense' or 'patrotism' cant be brought into people by a few pledges and 'laws'. Atleast, with our media boasting of world class journalists, we can only 'hope' of more responsible attitude, and we pray for it.
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