Anyone watching the terror episodes unfold since last night cannot ignore how close the media have been covering the attacks. In one shot, the reporter is about 10 to 15 meters away from commandos (ready to counter-fire)! In hostage situations, does such close-range coverage really help the situation? Of course the journalists realize that it could cost their lives but they may endanger the situation, especially if terrorists happen to have access to television.Some points to ponder areCould the coverage give away details of the rescue operation and alert terrorists? Could media help terrorists identify high profile persons?
Is it just to sensationalize the situation?
Any thoughts?
If it is news coverage they are after, then they have done well. They managed to give a 'blow by blow' account of the events. Should wait and see if they interrupted the work of the forces; wait for a formal note from the NSG.
ReplyDeleteWe should know more about the role of media in the days to come.
As per media, cable network was totally cut off in the hotels. Also media toed the army and NSG line with respect to reporting the strategy. They were just showing same footage again and again on 90% of time.
ReplyDeleteOnly risk is some sympathiser of these terrorists watching in on TV and giving the input through mobile. It seems mobile network wasn't jammed in the areas surrounding the terror activity.
No. I think it is necessary to let the country know what we are dealing with. Awareness...
ReplyDeleteHowever, having said that, I can understand why there must have been a Mumbai news blackout - to prevent terrorists from knowing the strategy and position of people being shown on TV...they could have TV switched on in the rooms or someone could be communicating with them after seeing the images on TV.
Most importantly, the cynical, unbelievving world must know the truth as it is unraveled. For far too long Indian evidence was disbelieved - 9/11 happened, global terrorism happened when India kept warning about the source, organisation and spread of it.
What beats me is even now so called security analysts from certain countries talk through their hats even when evidence has been seized.
One could also argue that terrorists thrive on such publicity, but I think they should also see how they'll be dealt with. Hopefully, that will deter at least a few who want to convert to terrorism.
News coverage keeps rumors at bay in such times. That could be one reason there haven't been riots till now unlike in the past even though it is possible people know better than to riot.
Of course. When one is informed, there is less play of imagination.
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened here is shocking, here in Chennai, there has been blackout due to the rains, and broadband was restored only now in our area, still no cable, though, or I would have posted something earlier.
Right now I feel numb about all this, shock, grief and anger. But more at the mindset of the multitude of common people here, who could have made such a big difference...
All that will have to wait.
As SB said, two minutes of silence is what is due.
Look at this! Insane!
ReplyDeletehttp://tmpolitics.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post_86.html
'...many South Asian Muslims insist Islam is the one and only force that can bring the subcontinent together and return it to preeminence as a single whole. "We [Muslims] were the legal rulers of India, and in 1857 the British took that away from us," says Tarik Jan, a gentle-mannered scholar at Islamabad's Institute of Policy Studies. "In 1947 they should have given that back to the Muslims." Jan is no militant, but he pines for the golden era of the Mughal period in the 1700s, and has a fervent desire to see India, Pakistan and Bangladesh reunited under Islamic rule.'
ReplyDeleteIs this what Time has to say?
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862650,00.html
These guys are psychos with growing paranoia. What else can we say!
ReplyDeleteIdiots. It is typical that they blow themselves up and blame innocent bystanders.
What tripe!