Indian TV News Channels draw flak for “irresponsible” reporting of Mumbai Attack

Samarth Pathak Hardnews

For 60 nightmarish hours last week, Mumbai burnt in a blaze of terror. 60 hours, which claimed nearly 200 innocent lives as the city went under siege in the most audacious terrorist strikes to have ever taken place in India. 60 hours, for which our forces were engaged in a virtual war as terrorists wreaked havoc. And 60 hours, for which Indians, irrespective of their religious or regional identities, were glued to their TV sets as news channels went on a frenzy to gain TRP's under the guise of 'Breaking News".

According to Indiantelevision.com, ratings of most channels recorded a significant growth last week due to the live non stop coverage of the Mumbai siege. NDTV 24x7 got 30 per cent of viewership, thus making it the highest gainer amongst the English channels. Times Now got 28 per cent, while CNN-IBN received 24 per cent ratings during the four day period from November 26 to November 30. Amongst the Hindi channels, Aaj Tak ruled the roost with 23 per cent share of the viewership, while India TV got 21 per cent ratings. Undoubtedly, the channels gained what they desired - TRP's. But they lost respect in the bargain.

All ethics of journalism took a backseat as reporters strived to outdo each other to grab eyeballs and boost ratings. Concerned viewers who tuned in to get the updates on the vicious massacre had no choice but hear reporters 'shouting' out the news as the saga unfolded. Breaking all security cordons, and putting not only theirs but also the lives of other security personnel in jeopardy, members of the media bloated in self importance as their reports went on-air. Reporting live, many journalists spiced up their coverage by speaking in a panic stricken tone, which became 'the' formula to catch the viewer's attention. Many reporters from the Hindi electronic media resorted to stunts like lying on the ground to relay the news, which was clearly unnecessary as their very own camera crew were standing! A reporter from India TV had a close shave when a live grenade exploded barely meters away from where he was reporting. Instead of realising the immense danger he and his other colleagues in the media were in, this reporter became the 'braveheart' of India TV as the channel's scroll aired his bravery and commitment to relay the bit by bit news to the viewers.

Even a senior correspondent like Barkha Dutt of NDTV has drawn flak for her hysterical coverage. Worse, she has been criticized for hyping the tragedy by posing insensitive questions to those affected by the attack. “I felt quite repulsed by her 'out of breath' style of reporting. Good journalists never betray their emotions, and are objective. But this was clearly not the case with Barkha Dutt's reporting. On many occasions, I felt she was about to cry, and I think it was just to capture the public's sympathy. Even the manner in which she posed her questions to the worried relatives of the hostages standing outside the hotel were quite insensitive. Asking someone 'how do you feel when you think of your husband stuck inside with the terrorists?' is just not done.” Subodh Kumar, a professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi told Hardnews.
Barkha was rattled by the scathing criticism and was forced respond on ndtv.com, "In the 72 hours that we stood on reporting duty, not once were we asked to move further away. We often delayed live telecasting of images that we thought were sensitive so as to not compromise the ongoing operation. Not once, were we asked by anyone in authority, to switch our cameras off, or withhold images. Also, every interview of a relative that was aired on any of my shows, was done so with the full consent and participation of the people speaking. In every case, it was their choice to share and to speak.