Anyone else getting annoyed by referring to the Mumbai massacre as India’s 9/11?? Am asking this because each time I see it on television I get so angry… Our media cannot even at this juncture keep drawing parallels between us and the United States. Some time back the attack on the parliament was our 9/11 and before that the suburban train attack in Mumbai..
As news of the unfolding Mumbai terror attacks spread countrywide, shock and horror was the reaction of the entire country. But soon this empathy began to be a TRP bonanza for India’s electronic media. It became a battle on who was “sabse teez” on giving information ( no they don’t care if their info is obsolutely correct).. The info on the second attack on CST giving for god’s sake twitter as the source was the worst.. Did they stop to think how many people who might have been traveling by train at that moment would have family worrying at home??
If you had followed the reports of the attack on the various “reporting live” you might have noticed one thing. The attack on the CST was just not given importance. While a list of all the celebs and all those important people who were in the TAJ or the OBEROI or the (lets face it its not like all of us can afford it) the CST attack where 52 people were killed was always mentioned as an after thought. It seems to me that the media as usual cares more about the privileged over the common man.
Im sure you saw the various celb interviews who expressed their utmost sorrow against this attack on the hub of India. Is a statement from Amitab Bachan on how he hid a gun under his pillow before he went to bed supposed to inspire all of us?? Or those exclusive from a top US Television channel brought to us live by our very own media where Brad Pitt extends his support to all Indians going to make ANY difference in our lives???
Why not interview all those hotel attenders who warned the guests to stay in their rooms and turn off all lights?? Why not give the spotlight to the announcer in CST who had the presence of mind to warn all passengers not to alight from the train? What about the constable who put his life at risk to save the scores of passengers walking onto the platform by warning them? They are the real heroes… It sets an example for how normal “junta” can act in times of terror and probably make a difference.
To top it all off… here is the news from TIMES a couple of days back…. The editor seems to think we are all interested in what is the menu that is served to the captured terrorist.. Apparently he wants more of Non vegetarian food… But excuse me Mr. Editor… who cares??
TRP Bonanza, right. I saw a report in NDTV website that when it matters the most, NDTV is most viewed with reference to Mumbai attacks. A foreword also added to the report that this is not something we should speak about in times of distress and yet a reference. God bless them.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that the media coverage here has leveraged strong diplomatic support to India compared to say Mumbai was rioted in 1993, there is got to be some kind of a restraint (self or forced) exhibited by/on the media. Like for instance, showing live pictures of the sniper positions NSG guard were taking. Sadly, there is no disaster management cell that takes charge in exigencies such as this. It takes 12 hours for NSG commandos to arrive on the scene, leave alone the impositions of restraint on people movement and media coverage.
Let us also understand the difficulty of covering such operations. Covering the news in times such as these is one of the most difficult task, ultimate challenge i should say. There is chaos everywhere, all they can do is just report everything they could. You cannot blame the reporters, thats how difficult life is for them, there is also immense pressure to get news. Just imagine a reporter on the scene, just like a normal onlooker and he is on the spot, live. There is coverage for CST announcer too. Even today, they are exploring every means to get more survivor tales out. I am also happy that the policians, esp. the opposition parties were not given as much space as they would have liked. They just don't deserve it. And fittingly VP Singh death also went safely under the carpet. He doesn't deserve a bit :)
Lets see this in positive light. Today, Media Activism has instilled an element of fear on the administrators and politicians alike. Its time, the instances of media coverage gets under the scanner too. This way everybody will get restrained by each other.