Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120354700802.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Media coverage

It is pathetic to see the way India conducted itself during and after the Mumbai violence. First the Maharashtra government said 20-25 militants entered the city. We accounted only for 10. Now the government claims only 10 terrorists came by sea. We couldn’t even get right the name of the terrorist who was caught alive. Every newspaper had a different name. One said he was Kasab, another said he was Kasam and yet another said he was Kasav. It now transpires he is Ajmal Amir Iman. The authorities should have got all the details before addressing the media. Look at the Pakistanis. They have dynamic, charismatic speakers who speak with a lot of conviction to the world media. Had I not been an Indian and a neutral observer, even I would have believed the Pakistanis.

Judish Raj,

Hyderabad

* * *

What we saw during the three days of Mumbai siege was extensive coverage by the media with all television channels vying with one another to get exclusive stories and pictures. What we see now is a media trial with anchorpersons handing down verdicts on what should be done. Knee-jerk reactions from angry people will not give tangible solutions to terrorism. What we need is calm, intelligent and prompt action.

S.N. Iyer,

Bangalore

* * *

Notwithstanding the criticism of the visual media, it must be said they did a wonderful job of making known the people’s anger at the ruling establishment. In an age of knowledge information, it would be improper to keep society from accessing information, more so in a tragedy of this magnitude.

D. Chandran Dharmalingam,

The Nilgiris