January 20, 2009

“The section on the Indian news media's coverage of the Mumbai terror attacks in the report issued by the South Asia Media Commission has certain over-generalised statements that most Indian journalists will disagree with. In saying this, I also reflect the views of the members of the India chapter of SAMC who feel the assessment in the report of the performance of the Indian news media is not accurate, balanced, or nuanced. This may well be true of the section in the report dealing with the Pakistan news media's performance in relation to the Mumbai terror attacks. (This refers to the observation in the section that the media in India “indulged in an aggressive blame-game against neighbouring Pakistan while fanning jingoistic hysteria” etc.)

“For a proper evaluation of the performance of India's and Pakistan's news media in the crisis brought about by the Mumbai terror attacks, which are now recognised worldwide to have had their origin in Pakistan, we need detailed and careful research, including content analysis. I too was bothered by the chauvinistic and even jingoistic elements, and the lack of responsibility, in some of the initial coverage by Indian television news channels and, to a much smaller extent, sections of the press.

“I was equally bothered by the chauvinistic and jingoistic elements, and an attitude of denial, in some of the initial coverage of the Mumbai terror in the Pakistan news media.

“To be more specific. Some of the initial television coverage in India seemed to be guided more by commercial considerations of ratings than by professional news values. It tended to treat the murderous attacks like a reality show. Some of this coverage has been criticised in India for unwittingly helping the perpetrators of the crimes and their handlers by making the counter-terrorist measures public. Since then, the broadcast media have recognised their failings and framed voluntary guidelines for coverage of similar events to be subjected to peer monitoring in future. They have rightly opposed the imposition of government guidelines.

“But the point is the overall performance. In both countries, the truth-telling and democratic strengths of serious journalism came through, in detailed news coverage and also insightful editorial analysis and commentary. I believe this has made a positive qualitative difference not just to media performance but to the bilateral situation itself.

“To the best of my knowledge, after the initial excesses especially on television, nobody in mainstream newspapers and news television in India has advocated mad-bomber ideas or resorted to irresponsible sensationalism on the subject. In fact, overall, the news media seem to have contributed substantially to raising public awareness in South Asia and internationally about what happened in Mumbai, who was behind the terror attacks, and what needs to be done to bring those responsible to justice and to prevent future terrorist attacks.

“I am issuing this clarification not to find fault with anyone in SAMC. I am aware that communication gaps may, to some extent, account for the over-generalised and coloured sections in the SAMC report that need correction – in the interest of forming an accurate picture of media performance in both India and Pakistan and also ensuring that SAMC functions smoothly and cooperatively."

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