----- Original Message -----To: New Media ForumSent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 12:58 AMSubject: [prpoint] Re: [New_Media_Forum] Let us salute the brave soldiers! Some moreconcerns on our TV media!!Dear sir,
I fully agree with you that media has to learn to restrain themselves while covering such operations. It was probably the first time that we could see the ensuing gunbattle live from our living rooms.As you rightly pointed out the 9/11 coverage should be a learning experience for all media persons in India. After initially showing images of the planes hitting the WTC, almost all the channles unilaterally withdrew it as they felt it would hurt the sentiments. In the recent case though they cautioned viewers about hurting their sensibilities but later on for being one-upmanship, they just forgot airing the warnings.
Moreover the media were reporting minute-by minute coverage of the operations as movement of security forces, airdropping of the forces or forces taking positions, etc.. I believe these were picked up by the perpretators and relaying to those terrorists inside as they had satellite phones.
The other thing I noticed that the security forces or the police force also did not handle the media well. While the forces were involved in their operations, the local police who were just wandering should have erected a separate enclave for periodic addressing by the spokesman wherever it was possible. Imagine the scramble and the pandemonium when the NSG director was trying to address the media. The scene was worse than a local market with mediapersons howling and hurling questions and not listening. Is this the time to have elaborate questions or listen what they have to say. It is not a press conference but a media briefing.
As you rightly pointed the armchair security experts were making insensible questions to the security forces. The media should have observed restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Add to this was the blame game by the political class, who behaved the most irresponsible way trying to score brownie points. On the other hand look at their Pakistani counterpart in a channel showed a person who is not in the present government nor in any influential position defending Pakistan and ISI. I think our politicians should learn from them.
Regards
Santosh
----- Original Message -----
From: Prime Point Srinivasan t
To: Prpoint Group, New Media New Media Forum
Sent: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:41:31 +0530 (IST)
Subject: [New_Media_Forum] Let us salute the brave soldiers! Some more concerns on our TV media!!
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
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