The Hindu : `Counter communalism'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 21, 2003

National

National

`Counter communalism'

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA FEB. 20. A panel of media personalities today urged the media to come forward and play the role of a counter to communalism which has emerged as a major challenge to the polity.

There was a convergence of views on the issue of combating communalism which was the central theme of a seminar organised by the Kolkata Press Club. Among the participants were N. Ram, Editor, Frontline, Teesta Setalvad, Editor, Combat Communalism, C.R. Irani, Editor, The Statesman, and Uttam Sengupta, Resident Editor, The Times of India, Kolkata.

Talking about the media's role in reporting communalism, Mr. Ram said that some sections of the Hindi language press had turned "kar sevaks'' while reporting the demolition of the Babri masjid. In Gujarat, the national press was honest and humane. "It actually blew the whistle on the Gujarat carnage when it reported the plans and the players behind it.''

Mr. Irani said the RSS, the Shiv Sena and the VHP leaders should not be kept off the front pages. "It is important to give them prominence so that the people get the opportunity to mock them, ridicule them and ultimately push them out of circulation.''

Rudrangshu Sengupta, a senior journalist with The Telegraph, who was the moderator, said a section of the media instigated communal violence by spreading disinformation. "It continues to demonise Muslims and Christians. What we are witnessing today is junk food journalism.''

Ms. Setalvad said the media should find out the forces behind events that ultimately led to communal violence.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National