The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Media glare

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Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Media glare

The spate of bombing in the country is despicable. But the recent event in Delhi exposes our society in a poor light. The media glare on the 10-year-old boy, an eyewitness, is unwarranted. He does not have the privilege of being protected by Black Cat commandos or the police. Rewarding him with Rs.50,000 is adding insult to injury.

What is appalling is the lack of protest or support from human rights activists and NGOs. They seem to take up several issues but we have not seen a whimper from them on the plight of this boy. We talk of progress and how India is shining. The whole world has witnessed the existence of child labour right in the heart of the capital — a 10-year-old ‘balloon seller’ — and the government talks of eliminating child labour. Even more appalling is the absence of political leaders on the scene of explosions to help the victims and their families. Either they are scared in spite of the police protection they enjoy or they do not care. It is a national shame.

Capt. A. Ranganathan,

Chennai

I was shocked to see the photograph of the boy (Sept. 14) considered a key witness in the case. Was no thought spared for the child?

Bhaskar Jindal,

New Delhi

Will not the publication of the photograph put the young boy’s life at risk? I feel if lives of key witnesses are endangered thus, those having vital information may think twice before coming forward to share it.

Subhash Koppikar,

Chennai

The media displayed utter insensitivity by publishing the picture of the boy. If the police believed the boy could provide crucial information, why did they not keep his identity a secret? Don’t they, while appealing to the people to report anything suspicious, promise that the identity of the caller will be kept a secret? I am extremely concerned about the boy.

Philip John,

New Delhi

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