26/11 ATTACK: MEDIA, AN UNWITTING PARTNER?

The anniversary of 26/11 attacks is approaching. I can safely presume that TV channels have already made elaborate plans to commemorate the first anniversary of what has been termed as India’s 9/11. Going by the past coverage of such events, one can guess more or less accurately how the coverage will pan out across channels on 26th Nov--- reporters giving lives all through the day from the Taj Hotel, Nariman Point and CST station- the targets of the attack - with stories reliving the horror ( a recap of how the attack was carried out) among other things.

While my heart goes out to all the victims and their families for perhaps the worst terror strike on Indian soil, I have reservations about how the media approaches such events.

Let’s not forget that any terror strike is also an exercise in publicity. A hostage crisis or hijack is said to be successful from the point of view of its perpetrators if it lingers for at least 36 hours as morning and evening editions of newspapers across the globe come out twice during that period and the event gets the optimal publicity.

The Mumbai attacks were televised live for three days - a huge success for its plotters. An extensive coverage on its first anniversary, reliving the horror, will only add to that. It’s a different matter that as the family members of the victims pay homage to their loved ones, the media should analyse and highlight whether lessons were learnt and the present level of security in such places which can be potential targets.

During the coverage of such events, media perhaps unwittingly falls into the trap as it ends up publicising them in a manner that also furthers the sinister designs of those who planned and executed them.

The non-stop live coverage of the 26/11 with a blow by blow account by the TV reporters had come under attack by security experts. Many felt it only helped the terrorists and their masters across the borders in Pakistan prolong the crisis.

It’s indeed debatable where the media should draw the line. But even in the race for TRPs, it’s important that sensible reporting takes precedence over any kind of reportage bordering on the sensational.