Abingdonboy
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New Delhi: "The shots and visuals that were shown live by TV channels could have also been shown after all the terrorists were neutralized and the security operations were over. But in that case, the TV programmes would not have had the same shrill, scintillating and chilling effect and would not have shot up the TRP ratings of the channels."
"It must, therefore, be held that by covering live the terrorists attack on Mumbai in the way it was done, Indian TV channels were not serving any national interest or social cause. On the contrary, they were acting in their own commercial interest, putting national security in jeopardy."
This was the observation made by a bench of Justices Aftab Alam and C K Prasad of honourable Supreme Court of India in reference to the 'reckless' coverage of electronic media while covering the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008.
On Friday, television screens were brimming with 'live and exclusive' visuals of military operations from Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector. As soldiers put their lives on stake to neutralise the militants, television camera were engaged in a battle of their own. To grab 'that exclusive shot', television reporters- sans any regards for the security of soldiers- went all guns blazing while covering the operation.
It seemed that the Supreme Court ruling was the last thing on their minds as they brazenly went about reporting positions and movement of the troops.
And what happens when one concerned Indian citizen reminds the television channel that their coverage could compromise the operation? His phone is disconnected!
"Are you naïve to the fact that by telecasting LIVE VISUALS of army movements, you COMPROMISE their positions !!! Any person in contact with the terrorists hiding inside, after watching these visuals can relay the information directly to the terrorists, who can then take advantage of it ! DON'T YOU REALISE YOU ARE AIDING THE TERRORIST INDIRECTLY? And when you are given calls from concerned citizens, requesting you to please remove LIVE VISUALS while reporting, you simply ignore and bang the phone down !!!" Rahul narrated his experience on his Facebook account.
It is time that media fraternity defines guidelines to be followed while covering live military operations. A strict ban on visuals during the operation, gagging 'over enthusiastic' reporters from divulging sensitive details on live television or perhaps delaying the coverage till the conclusion of the operation.
However, going by the frenzied and mindless TRP-chasing-mode of the news channels, a change looks unlikely.
Media's coverage of Kashmir operation reveals details of troop movement - daily.bhaskar.com
The media got both NSG operator and civilians killed during 26/11-FACT. Did anyone blink twice? Did anyone try to take action against the media then? They have blood on their hands.
