Byapaar.com – The Indian Business Blog

It has been almost two weeks that the biggest and most heinous terror attack on Indian soil had ended. Life is slowly coming back to normal. But the post mortem and ghost hunting will continue for a long time to come. Here, I will try to express my views on roles played by the media.

I was watching the Mumbai carnage on T.V. Suddenly the channel switched to broadcast a news conference called by the Indian government where a government spokesman had to appeal to the media (especially the electronic media i.e. TV) not to show everything live live as intelligence sources suggested that terrorists were getting wind of rescue moves by security forces well before they were actually being carried out. After the news conference was over, the channel switched back to the war zone and resumed live broadcasting. It was seen that hundreds of journalists – both from electronic and print media were jostling for the best coverage while commandos were seen getting ready to fire from their mortars at a particular target and the cameraman following the target and showing a very close picture of the same using the advanced zoom. No wonder, terrorists could see where the attacks were coming from and what was the target as the correspondent was explaining everything clearly for the viewers.

No wonder a great commercial move as it had the audience glued to the screen.

The question is, is it responsible journalism especially when those heinous terrorists were taking advantage of the live TV broadcasting? There was a time when the media used to practice restraint, act as keeper of values, righteousness. But today, it seems media houses can go to any extent to improve their market share and act mostly keeping the commercial interests in mind. True, they have to bring in profits for their share-holders, at the same time, like everybody else, the too have some responsibilities towards the nation because they are the mediums which can influence public opinion to a great extent. Not too long ago, a certain news channel helped in turning a murder case upside down by forming strong public opinion against acquittal of the murderer, son of a very powerful minister.

So media industry is that powerful tool that can achieve greater things concerning the public. Hence, it is imperative that our news channels do not repeat the same mistake in future and act more responsively. While our great constitution provides for Freedom of Expression, it does not mean we should use in such a way as to harm ourselves. When it comes to national security, our media industry should put national interests above commercial interests.

Thank you.