Indian Media post Pulwama terror attack
Blowing in the Wind
It is not often one comes across criticism of media by media persons. On 16 February 2019, well known anchor- Subhir Chaudhary of Zee News, at 10:20 pm criticized newspapers that had published photograph of the terrorist on their front page, he also said terrorists seek publicity and that’s what some sections of Indian media is doing. The photograph of suicide terrorist who killed 40 plus of CRPF soldieries in Pulwama was shown by many TV channels, even by leading channels like Aaj Tak, CNN News 18, India News. In fact the Republic Bharat (new channel in Hindi, Arnab Goswami fame) appealed on 14 February 2019 that channels should not show any propaganda video or photograph released by terrorists. On 18th February, 4 days later, photograph/s of terrorist/s behind Pulwama attack (who were killed by Indian security forces) were shown by many TV channels like ABP News, India TV, News world India, Sudarshan News, News 24. ABP News studio became “War Room” on 15th February 19, on 26 February 2019, ABP News ran “War Room Live”. On 26, 27th February, studio of Zee News turned into war room with planes flying! Ravish Kumar of NDTV criticized TV channels and newspapers on 27 February 2019- “chikhte channel, lalkarete akhabar”. Ravish felt channels have ruined journalism as they have turned the troubled time into a tamasha , “Nachate Gaati Bhasha” (singing dancing language). On 28 February, ABP News ran an “appeal to the nation” stressing people of the country should not to get afraid, not to believe in rumours. Yesterday, (1 March 2019) most TV channels focused on Wagha Attari border waiting return of IAF pilot- Abhinandan. The studios in Delhi were filled with patriotism. Major Garav Arya (retired), sitting in studio of Republic Bharat was seen reciting many patriotic poems- an event never seen before! Today, Zee News organized “Poet War” at 6:55 pm, “ Abhinandan ke shurya ko kaveyo ka kavya vandan”. And Republic Bharat has informed this evening-“On border 100 R Bharat reporters”. (2 March 2019).