We get the information about the events around the world through media, recently lots of innovations have happened as also internet but the primary source of information for most people remains visual media. This blogger came to know about the events in Mumbai within minutes (it was just a coincidence as I had finished watching the One-day match, otherwise mostly switch off by ten), the gun battle in CST was reported first, I like most people could never conceive what was to unfold. It was around 1:30 that I understood this is too big and was stuck to TV until about 3am. (God’s grace I am a kind of a person who when closes his eyes falls immediately to sleep- never had any insomnia, next few days though I did get some nasty nightmares).
There are some amazing people working with the TV channels but unfortunately they are not in majority. So almost all channels gleefully geared up for some realtime reality action. Thankfully for them the events and images were more spectacular than their blabbering. All these times while they were stampeding for “exclusive” images people were being killed. This blogger is shocked what kind of people will look for “exclusive” images from the misery of people. The attempt at brand building at the most inopportune times in our lives is shocking to say the least (one instance a “senior” fellow -sardesai??, from media actually pulled a Japanese victim
for exclusive information I believe). This blogger strongly believes that the privacy of victims need be given top priority, the violation of these need be considered as human rights violations. Further the information about the event as usual got blurred with voyeurism of peoples suffering. This put serious question mark on what exactly is the role of media.
The question this blogger want to ask is whether information confined to what is in front of camera? Do the happenings in front of TV camera constitute information?. Clearly images therefore can be used for manipulation of market need, they therefore may lack the facts needed and could be taken out of context (this is something most in media expertise). Thus the event is reduced to titillations and exaggerations to keep the audience watching. Then with these images they go in for conjectures and sometimes blatant misinformation. In the melee even the gravity of situation tends to fall short of the hype they create. In this marketing overdrive they even don’t mind disclosing details that would be harming the victims (we can get the candle light images later is the strategy). Many people in Taj I gather were killed by the callousness of TV channel, an apology is the least needed. I as a common citizen of this country requests the government to formulate laws to keep the rogue elements in media under control.
Media understa
ndably was aware of people’s anger towards politicians (they failed miserably some even were audacious to reap political benefits) but it went overboard. This blogger believes that not all politicians are bad. There are some amazing people across the party line right from Congress to BJP to Communists but yes I agree with the sentiments that most politicians in
But then that doesn’t put the media of the hook. Most in Media too are very irresponsible people, some plain incompetent. But somehow they have latched on democracy and freedom of expression. My main concern though is how media impacts policy makers. There was a time when print media was so powerful that if they put aspersion on any minister they use to resign !!. That is shocking, media is not a court to judge nor do media define any moral standards. It became a channel for elite section to put extra constitutional pressure, with some exceptions. Thankfully print media is ineffective now and there are many players in visual media, at one level these has led to democratization of these power centers.
But still there are concerns like for instance recently there was “Hindustan 
Times Summit”, even the PM and many union cabinet members found it necessary to participate (like this they do have yearly TV channels events). The question is what is the priority of the leaders of more than a billion nation?. On what basis they choose these events (HT for instance could be catering to not more than 0.1 % of the population of this country. So why not all the newspapers and TV channels in the country? Why only some?. Clearly it is a case of corruption, favoritism therefore misuse of official position). They could do these once they retire. These are serious dereliction of official position. One of the problems of this nation is there are some attention seeking leaders (these breed are found in
Most importantly the Broadcasting ministry is not been able to coordinate and channelise information to the public, therefore there is utter confusion, the official version is mostly absent. Not that like the business of running channels the government is expected to give minute by minute commentary. Authenticity of information is the role of the government and verification of that of media’s. People in most case have serious reservations on the authenticity of news channels.
Post script: at the end of the day it boils down to how each one of us individuals live our life. How much we respect laws. How responsible are we to the surrounding and society, media and politicians included. These events help to understand our society better.
I was shocked to know that the man in the bookstall at CST was killed in the attack by the animals based in 
ery time I went to CST I do visit that stall near the entrance, two months back I interacted with that man I remember him distinctly. I really don’t buy book from stalls but yes spend lots of time looking at it that is how ended up talking to him since there were not many people around, despite the fact it was peak hour. Also I have a habit of eating vada pav from the stall on the left side inside but this time though I gave it a miss and settled for packed dokhlas from the front shop, I seriously doubt whether those guys survived, it is sickening. Of all the attacks the one on CST was quite painful for me.
Life is cheap in this part of the world. People keep dying most times not of their fault. Dying is only the end but then people fall around all the time, they get up, dust themselves and carry on. It is event like these when hundreds of people are targeted that the tragedy gets accentuated. It is the time like these when I start to believe in fate, providence. I too had some very close calls but that has not made me fatalist or superstitious. You don’t think about it but fully aware that it is one step away, things can go horribly wrong and in chaos of
