Democracy: By Of and For the people, not politicians
Sometimes we think we are being extremely cool, but will end up becoming a big fool. Something similar happened to Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh. Right from his yesterday’s “Tour de Taj” to the press conference today, his actions have been extremely childish and irresponsible. If this caused ripples through the media, Mr.R.R.Patil’s alleged comments caused quite an explosion among the common people (We, The People in NDTV). If it’s true that he said “….this whole episode is trifling in a big city like Mumbai…”, then it’s a shame to the people of India that we have elected such people as our representatives. To add masala to this we have Ram Gopal Varma, who was certified as a non-terrorist by Mr. Deshmukh.
In Bangalore yet another politician suffered humiliation. Mr.V.S.Achudhanandhan, the Kerala CM was denied entry into the house of Late. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan by his father, who saw no reason to receive the condolences. Though the reaction was a bit extreme and the situation could have been avoided, this shows the anger the common man has towards the politicians.
But then it will be escapism if we start the blame game. We chose the present MLAs and MPs, or we dint vote and insulted the duty of every citizen to take part in the process of electing the Government. It will be good if we all realize our follies and change ourselves.
The news channels have all been extra busy the past one week. But then there must be some ethics and morals when something this sensitive is being covered. CNN-IBN telecasted their Operation Water Rat (in 2006) in which they successfully smuggled crates of apples into Mumbai through sea, and showed us all how the security is lax in the coast. Whether the coast guard took action or not, the terrorists seem to have taken a point or two from it. Investigative journalism is something that must help the administration run better through their controlled revealing, not publicly proclaiming “Come on guys, our security system is a joke, anyone can breach it.” It will then become cheap tactics to improve viewership.
NDTV had the best coverage of the incident. The reporters must be lauded for their guts to be at the site and keep reporting for hours. But is such an extensive and long coverage necessary? There are possibilities of the telecast being misused by the attackers. Also, they could have avoided the repeated visuals of Mr.Hemant Karkare’s last rites. It may be within law to videotape the ritual since he died in encounter, but it’s not morally right to repeat those visuals, in the interests of Karkare family. (It’s very sad to sit and comment as if it is cricket coverage, but then my intention is only to share what I feel.)
I asked, “Do I look like a terrorist?” when I was checked at the International Astronautical Congress in Hyderabad last year. The checking was done because one American gentleman sitting next to me suspected I was one, for talking in Hindi over phone. He later apologized to me and clarified that he was just being safe. I smiled in reply and laughed a lot later. But then today I understand the importance of “just being safe”.
In Bangalore yet another politician suffered humiliation. Mr.V.S.Achudhanandhan, the Kerala CM was denied entry into the house of Late. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan by his father, who saw no reason to receive the condolences. Though the reaction was a bit extreme and the situation could have been avoided, this shows the anger the common man has towards the politicians.
But then it will be escapism if we start the blame game. We chose the present MLAs and MPs, or we dint vote and insulted the duty of every citizen to take part in the process of electing the Government. It will be good if we all realize our follies and change ourselves.
The news channels have all been extra busy the past one week. But then there must be some ethics and morals when something this sensitive is being covered. CNN-IBN telecasted their Operation Water Rat (in 2006) in which they successfully smuggled crates of apples into Mumbai through sea, and showed us all how the security is lax in the coast. Whether the coast guard took action or not, the terrorists seem to have taken a point or two from it. Investigative journalism is something that must help the administration run better through their controlled revealing, not publicly proclaiming “Come on guys, our security system is a joke, anyone can breach it.” It will then become cheap tactics to improve viewership.
NDTV had the best coverage of the incident. The reporters must be lauded for their guts to be at the site and keep reporting for hours. But is such an extensive and long coverage necessary? There are possibilities of the telecast being misused by the attackers. Also, they could have avoided the repeated visuals of Mr.Hemant Karkare’s last rites. It may be within law to videotape the ritual since he died in encounter, but it’s not morally right to repeat those visuals, in the interests of Karkare family. (It’s very sad to sit and comment as if it is cricket coverage, but then my intention is only to share what I feel.)
I asked, “Do I look like a terrorist?” when I was checked at the International Astronautical Congress in Hyderabad last year. The checking was done because one American gentleman sitting next to me suspected I was one, for talking in Hindi over phone. He later apologized to me and clarified that he was just being safe. I smiled in reply and laughed a lot later. But then today I understand the importance of “just being safe”.
Comments
The signs of an economic crisis is looming large.. The tourism sector has already started to experience it... and the only people who are gaining amidst all these.. is the Media(Hindsight.. they must be thanking the terrorists).
The media has successfully spread terror to every nook and corner of the country.. even the terrorists could have not been this successful.. now everyone is 'bothered'( read as horrified/traumatized/distressed/perturbed/.. "terrorized" ).
And.. I agree with you that 24/7 LIVE coverage wasn't necessary.. It was not a India-Pakistan Test match. But.. their motive was and is to make money out of it.. and it's understandable that they went and still going all out! They weren't updating the viewers with 24/7 reporting... they were just singing the same old song in different tunes.. By doing so.. they've ensured that Mumbai doesn't stand alone in the hour of terror.. they've spread it to the entire nation.. the faith of people in democracy.. shattered!
People don't want Mahatmas anymore.. People want a Hitler.. People want a Mussolini.. a Bush{!!} a Osama.. a 'change' .. YES the Media CAN(!) bring about a 'change'.. a change in the negative flip side.. Hail Media.. the new dictator!
so I watched only sun news in which the main news was the chennai floods & the mumbai terror attack was just focused for 5 mins... :)