The more one reads about the unfortunate developments in Mumbai( or
watches on TV) the more one gets a feeling of anger /frustration/and
helplessness .While we all know that the politicians are to be blamed
for the mess,somewhere down the line one wonders about the security
that the top hotels in Mumbai had provided.
These issues apart,I agree with you,Srini,about the TV coverage.No
doubt that this was indeed a unique,even if tragic,event in India and
,therefore, lack of experience of the anchors and the electronic media
became more pronounced.The fact remains that while some channels like
NDTC /9x/UTVI showed restrain in their coverage, other went overboard
with the anchors shouting and screaming.Still others thought nothing
of showing the commandos/policemen trying to enter the Taj ,using
ropes to climb in.Somewhere down the line these channels lost all
perspective and became irresponsible.
Just a thought.We often watch the BBC and CNN.Look at their anchors
/newsreaders--mature,greying but restrained with full control over
their emotions.Compare that with the ones we see on our channels.I
think we have to realise that experience and maturity is more
important than looks and age. Encourage to the youth is fine but
somewhere we have to draw the line--inexperience can be quite
dangerous in situations such as the coverage of the Mumbai blasts.
Tyagaraj Sharma
Journalist at Bangaloru
On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 8:41 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan
<prpoint@gmail.com > wrote:
> dear friends
>
> Mumbai terrorist attack is coming to end. At this moment of my writing this
> post, official confirmation of death is yet to be received. Few brave
> soldiers, including senior officials of Mumbai have sacrificed their life
> for the Nation. Nearly 100 plus commandos, braving their life, faced the
> well trained and motivated terrorists for more than two days. They have
> done their job, in the presence of hundreds of cameras meticulously. They
> brought glory to the Indian Army and to the country. We salute them for
> their timely job at the time of National crisis.
>
> After taking possession of Nariman Bhavan, these bravemen, boarded their
> Military Van and left the place, amidst the cheeres of the people around.
> This was shown in all channels. If anyone had observed closely, they all
> left without any expression on their faces, with a great satisfaction of
> having done their job to the Nation. We may not remember the faces these
> 'unsung heroes', but we remember their brave act.
>
> I would like to share one important concern.
>
> Our Channels need to learn to handle the crisis situation with more care.
> These type of operations are highly sensitive and secretive. In their over
> enthusiasm of telecasting the news, and getting TRP rating, many channels
> were showing the minutest operations with zooming lens. Many rumours were
> floated creating panic amongst the Mumbai citizens. At one stage, Police
> authorities had to black out the channels. The channels rectfied the rumours
> later. Even Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had to summon the
> channel owners today and advise them to telecast in a responsible manner.
> Even the Secretary (Internal Security), had to appeal to all media not to
> telecast the operations 'minute to minute'.
>
> In one of the popular channels, the reporter was asking the Army Chief why
> even after one hour of Commandos entering the Hotel, nothing had happened.
> I donot know whether the reporter was aware of the seriousness of the
> situation. A person with common sense, can easily understand how can the
> army men can clear the terrorists within one hour. Or whether the channel
> expects the operations to be done in the presence of camera?
>
> A time has come that we need to think of our television reporting at the
> time of crisis. The importance is given more for sensationalising the
> event. I still remember how the TV Channels behaved during 9/11 in US.
>
> There is no absolute freedom for anybody in India, including media. The
> Indian constitution provides freedom for everybody uniformly. Freedom comes
> with responsibility. There is a limitation for our freedom. As used to be
> said, 'my freedom ends when other's nose begins'.
>
> Television channels need to understand that 'security of the Nation' is more
> important than their 'TRP ratings'
>
> I invite views
>
> srinivasan
> prime point
> 94440 50273
>
>
>
--
R.Induja,
Director, Projects (Chennai)
Masscomm Pr Ltd
Ph: 9444525343
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