Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one. — A J Liebling
Dear NDTV and Barkha Dutt. Hope you are well, now that you have arm-twisted CKunte into submission.
Don’t get me wrong. You have as much right to sue people as I do. Especially when your reputations are at stake. But here are a few reasons why your approach may not be best suited to the present circumstances.
Following the terrorist attacks that happened in Mumbai on 26 November, 2008, many people took offence to the way Barkha Dutt reported the event. Her reporting was called “shoddy” and “irresponsible” (among other things).
If I were Barkha Dutt, I would be annoyed and probably even infuriated. Nobody blames you for that. Bloggers often fail to make the distinction between opinon and reality. And it must hurt to see someone sitting at home judging you, especially when you risk your life and limb to bring people news of dangerous situations as they happen.
But here’s something important: You are in the business of being judged by people sitting in their homes.
It might appear that you are not answerable to anyone. But you are answerable to your audience. You have feelings I understand, and slander is not to be tolerated, but you can’t pummel people into respecting your feelings.
And your audience isn’t the only section who thinks you failed. Following the Mumbai attacks, even the government of India suggested curbs to keep over zealous reporting in check. I am told journalists flocked to the authorities to have the measures revoked. I was relieved. Now I am back to square one.
You won’t achieve anything by getting one blogger to withdraw what he typed in the heat of anger. Just like the government of India wouldn’t have achieved anything by blocking one TV news channel.
You are only one news channel, but there are thousands of bloggers. And whether you like it or not, we have a voice. Images on the TV stay on for as long as you let them. On the web, things never die.
The ‘have lawyers will sue’ attitude won’t help. It will make things worse. For you, me, and everyone else.
‘We the people‘ are pissed. Do you care?
Astute. Well penned, Vimoh. I think they’ve not only sued C Kunte, but even their own respect.
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Respect her Authorita!!
Bang on target. How many bloggers can they arm twist?
Big journalists talk so much about freedom of speech by thinking it belongs to them only. They can use this against govt, big industrialists. But they forget that common people can also use this freedom against journalists. They simply need to accept this fact.
we the bloggers are certainly pissed…we stand by C Kunte in the hour of crisis.
NDTV and Ms Dutt, mind your F***ing business!
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It is unfortunate that Ms Burkha Dutt decided to flex muscles against the blogger.
In fact, I cannot see any “Defamation” in the posting and the blogger need not have even apologized.
I think the Press Council should step in and take action against media members threatening another member of the media. ( I consider a blogger also as a member of the media).
In the event, Press Council does not consider it their responsibility to protect bloggers, it is time to create a blogger’s association to take care of their rights.
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Well articulated! Couldn’t agree more.
I love the quote at the beginning. Says it all.
Shhh – “She-who-cannot-be-blamed” might take offense.
with the way they sensationalize news for their business, they are to be sued, what they did shows how pathetic they are.
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Hi
Read your blog. Wish to recollect one incident. I was watching the coverage of Mumbai blast and the head of NSG came to brief media and everyone asked him as to how many terrorist were holed up in the hotel and he said “we do not know how many but Burkha DUtt of NDTV said that there are 2 more terrorsit hiding in the hotel”. Every columnist used this quote in their story, if i am not wrong. The objective of media is to convey facts and not blow things out of propertion. What was said about Kargil war was very much true. Will Burkha take the blame of what she did during kargil.
I agree with the opinions expressed in this article. I have high regards for Barkha Dutt, but I feel that maybe as she has grown in stature, she may have let the success get to her head.
Another current event that I will request you to ponder upon: Section “49-0″ – as per the 1969 act, in section “49-O” that a person can go to the polling booth,Confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding
Election officer that he doesn’t want to vote anyone!
THE ABOVE IS CURRENTLY BEING HEARD IN THE SUPREME COURT……NO COVERAGE BY THE MEDIA…..WONDER WHY???
Freedom of expression restricted to certain category of journalists etc., like Orwellian “some are more equal than others”. Barkha and the likes of her have arrogated to themselves the right to freedom of expression. When the ruling establishment is with them who can challenge them ?
bottom line guys– Media is a sword, a powerful weapon, claiming to protect the society but insincere in action.So god forbid if you happen to fall in a pit and media comes to cover you asking you, the depth of the pit.do not ever open your mouth.Because if you do..they will either exaggerate the depth, blocking the mind set and scaring your saviors or bury you live there asking you question like ‘How do you feel Sir?Is it warm out there?’.High time..media should realize they are NOT the only people rendered with freedom of speech and expression.Blogging is a powerful means for the same.And we the bloggers will SLAP them, and show them where they go wrong. Let NDTV realize we have not yet lost the power to analyze and say it aloud.On that remark..shall we, the bloggers, sue you thoroughly?
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It would be good for NDTV and other potential suers to remember a few things:
1) that the new media are posing challenges to the traditional ones, and that they need to change if they want to survive;
2) that the freedom of speech is not exclusively theirs;
3) that this kind of action will only help to antagonise viewers — something that no TV channel can afford to do;
4) that the result of this rash action is there for everyone to see: there must be several blogs now that criticise NDTV;
5) that people can do without NDTV, but not vice versa.
So long as it is not personally abusive (I have not read what CKunte had written), I support the right of any person to criticise any media.
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The sourced statements in the disputed Blog that Ms.Dutt aired the locations of the hostages live, would cause criminal action by the government and damages action by the victims’ relatives, against Ms.Dutt and NDTV. Hence the threat of legal action against the blogger.
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Barkha should be ashamed of herself. She is a shame ot the journalists community.
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Well written. The current events have unveiled that the media can be powerful for the people and against the people. Too much power for one class.
Asking out of context, if a blogger uses his freedom of expression to maim someone or make personal attacks, is there a way to retaliate it?
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We Indian voters must come together to form an organisation called VOTERS UNION and fight against the hopelessness and helplessness of voters who are considered real rulers in democratic setup of governments. Such an organisation is badly in need of the voters in present situation for protecting our rights and meeting our needs.
Gurupad Suragond
Bangalore
Nice. How about this one?
http://www.anaggh.com/2008/12/22/ndtv-intiative-a-scam.html
Great news channel,must give more airtime to documentaries like other world channels do.Will be a good chance to prune dominating programmes on Bollywood and their…..there are other interesting issues too which need to be screened like educating streetchildren,eco stuff etc.pls consider.
I think,Barkha Dutt’s penchant for fool-proof reporting cannot be questioned.At the same time,the NDTV’s response to the blogger(Kunte)was an instance of media over-reach resulting in avoidable confrontation. The arm twisting through a legal notice was a little harsh but not totally unjustified.Bloggers have their right to freedom of speech.Having said that, let us analyse Barkha Dutt’s intention in giving minute-by-minute account to first inform the public-at-large ( that was her primary duty)and then to help the Mumbai police that was totally confused and rudderless during the Mumbai attack.My complints to her for showing grit and courage.
A K SAXENA (A retired Joint Secretary to GOI)
SHAME BARKHA SHAME………………..