This blog is written and owned by Saurabh Gupta
This sensitive topic was in my mind for quite some time now but I always got busy with other things - Media in today's world, today's Indian scenario, plays an integral role to ensure smooth functioning of the country and it was most evident during the Mumbai Massacre (26th-28th November 2008), that continued for ~60 hrs. Media crew (Reporters, Technicians, and Cameramen) tried their best to get the most updated news to the viewers throughout the world.
I have heard people saying that it's all business and hence each news channel wants to increase its TRP; I would say that these are people who are doing their jobs in the best possible manner. When a soldier fights at the border his selfish interest remains that he wants to perform his best for the country and so remains the selfish interest of the reporter. When it comes to the crisis situations like Mumbai Massacre then Military and Media come to the rescue of the trapped people and the people who are worried about their loved ones. They were the bold media personnel who brought home continuous news and events - hats off to them.
It’s said that Media has got the power to turn around thrones and that's evident in the tough times like this Mumbai tragedy and the follow up. Media could have asked the questions (how, why and what next) to the Government when the rescue operations were on but they behaved responsibly that time and ensured that latest news were brought to the loved ones of those who were trapped in the hotels. Now when the time is right, they are questioning the governments (both Central and State) about the casual approach that government took for this whole tragedy.
Warnings were given by IB and RAW to the State Government and after that there was so less security in the South Mumbai area. Above all, Maharashtra Deputy CM Mr. R. R. Patil says that these small things happen in the big cities. This approach clearly reflects that this massacre means nothing to him and his allies. Media is doing its work and it is doing its work too well by ensuring that these questions are asked in front of the country so that faces of all corrupt politicians are shown to the people.
Everything seems to be in place when we talk about Media but there is one thing which is missing - an active regulatory body to monitor the news content shown to the country. There is a regulatory body but it functions only when there is conflict of interests between two parties. When I said we need the body I have got my reasons for the same.
Today, India is moving in the right direction and Media is one of the strong pillars to ensure that. Media has helped in providing transparency and accountability in government operations. The latest challenge to the government which is New Age Terror would be addressed properly by the government and if not, then Media would help in providing the channel to question government.
This sensitive topic was in my mind for quite some time now but I always got busy with other things - Media in today's world, today's Indian scenario, plays an integral role to ensure smooth functioning of the country and it was most evident during the Mumbai Massacre (26th-28th November 2008), that continued for ~60 hrs. Media crew (Reporters, Technicians, and Cameramen) tried their best to get the most updated news to the viewers throughout the world.
I have heard people saying that it's all business and hence each news channel wants to increase its TRP; I would say that these are people who are doing their jobs in the best possible manner. When a soldier fights at the border his selfish interest remains that he wants to perform his best for the country and so remains the selfish interest of the reporter. When it comes to the crisis situations like Mumbai Massacre then Military and Media come to the rescue of the trapped people and the people who are worried about their loved ones. They were the bold media personnel who brought home continuous news and events - hats off to them.
It’s said that Media has got the power to turn around thrones and that's evident in the tough times like this Mumbai tragedy and the follow up. Media could have asked the questions (how, why and what next) to the Government when the rescue operations were on but they behaved responsibly that time and ensured that latest news were brought to the loved ones of those who were trapped in the hotels. Now when the time is right, they are questioning the governments (both Central and State) about the casual approach that government took for this whole tragedy.
Warnings were given by IB and RAW to the State Government and after that there was so less security in the South Mumbai area. Above all, Maharashtra Deputy CM Mr. R. R. Patil says that these small things happen in the big cities. This approach clearly reflects that this massacre means nothing to him and his allies. Media is doing its work and it is doing its work too well by ensuring that these questions are asked in front of the country so that faces of all corrupt politicians are shown to the people.
Everything seems to be in place when we talk about Media but there is one thing which is missing - an active regulatory body to monitor the news content shown to the country. There is a regulatory body but it functions only when there is conflict of interests between two parties. When I said we need the body I have got my reasons for the same.
- Content Regulation - There should be regulations to edit disturbing pictures shown over television (news, special reports etc) like Cigarettes are banned to be shown on TV. Today we are asking every one to remain united in this difficult time and fight against terror, but think about the kids who see the scary pictures shown in the news channels. They would grow up with terror within them. Some might get mentally disturbed due to these pictures. Channels like AAJ TAK and India TV should be given serious warnings regarding their content.
- Ethical behavior - The news channels should not be allowed to bias the ongoing judicial cases by using the extreme terms like faces of death etc. These terms just bias Junta's viewpoint towards the case and the convicts. Incidents have been reported when media has pointed fingers over people and they were declared innocent by the court but in the eyes of Junta, they remained criminals. As an example - each convict in the Arushi murder case was at one time or the other was declared criminal over the news channels.
- Rating System - Sensitive news channels should be rated Adults and every program should come with serious age range warnings. There should be strict laws to ensure that children are not allowed to see adult content to ensure that they don't get scared from within.
Today, India is moving in the right direction and Media is one of the strong pillars to ensure that. Media has helped in providing transparency and accountability in government operations. The latest challenge to the government which is New Age Terror would be addressed properly by the government and if not, then Media would help in providing the channel to question government.
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Nice article.. In fact this was the first time in last 12 months (maybe more) when I saw such professional and responsible act by news channels. I was sick of watching videos from youtube, and comedy shows on news channels. I feel news channels should be kept out of all this TRP things. This will help them focus on right areas that you have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone see yesterday's Indian Express. Cover page had the most scary photo of a terrorist killed in Trident Hotel.
ReplyDeleteAre these newspapers trying to help terrorist groups by spreading terror? Why is no regulatory body prohibiting them from doing all this?
I don't think that the media response was good!!!
ReplyDeleteOne - they were continuously reporting on the next moves of Indian forces - giving the terrorists complete information and enough time to foil rescue attempts.
Two - there were enough gory images on the web and that was totally unacceptable. I am not sure what happened on Indian TV though.
I saw the coverage on CNN here and they also covered the rescue for full 24 hrs. But never did they once mention the plan of rescue authorities - mainl because they are cognizant of their responsibilities. Never did they show the gory pictures of corpses (even though they had access to all of them through IBN).
About the age warning - definitely should be done. With DD being the only channel - it was not required. But with a flattenned world and HBO and stuff present in every corner in India - it only makes sense to implement that.
Makes sense.
ReplyDelete