Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Emergency protocol

Anita Joshua has raised the citizen’s awareness by collating a number of issues related to media propriety. (“Will the proposed emergency protocol on media coverage work?” — Op-Ed, December 17). The query, “why isn’t the scene of crime ever cordoned off?,” applies to incidents all over the country. But we repeatedly see crowds and cameramen milling around such scenes looking for prospective “breaking news.” Our news channels are still too young to know the right from wrong. Just as children need guidance, these channels too need external regulation till they prove their maturity. Their attempt at self-regulation may have been sincere, but that takes a backseat with every issue that can stir up the middle and the upper classes. There are alternatives such as abolishing TRP ratings (which drive the broadcasters into a frenzy), reintroducing a workable licence framework and restricting air time to six hours a day.

R. Swarnalatha,

New Delhi

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