What a load of crap. How can a newspaper print a tweet without
putting it under the editorial inspection in the first place? Either the
editorial team was sleeping or they thought it’s quite hep to print something
this nonsensical. I am not dumb enough to link it or post it in spite of the
fact that this is my personal blog. Furthermore there is conscious effort in
killing the story about the protest that brewed from it in Kolkata tonight. No
information means more chaos Media should know that better. And furthermore the
national news channels are killing this news too. Just because some media
friend did a mistake and that erupted into a riot like situation in Kolkata (Park Circus Area) doesn't mean you stop making news out of it. One needs transparency in media.
But in one way it’s good that the stupid media people (Since they have
themselves proved their stupidity) are not taking up this story. God knows what
they would have done. For 30 years my father was a journalist. He taught me to criticise
media and not takes it in its face value. It is sad that tremendous hard work
that he had done in his career today stands disgraced. Yes I agree there is lot
of pressure on people in the news house but that doesn’t mean that you completely
lose your mind .On top of all this they put up an apology like this (above
mentioned). The apology should have been.
" A tweet by
@iPoonampandey was reproduced in t2 on March 19 because of a
technical error. The Telegraph had no intention to hurt the
sentiments of any community. We apologise for publishing the tweet and we have
sacked the team who are behind this negligence. "
Models are a beauty
queen that’s their job they should not be made into opinion leaders.
In today’s world superstars are made within seconds but they are superstars
only in their business. Don’t make them Gods in things where they have no
credibility. Hope this post finds more voices thus making it loud and clear and
instead of firing innocents the media house that is The Telegraph (I don't need
to politicaly correct here like our Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee who couldn't
even take The Telegraphs name as if it was Lord Voldermort) should start firing
those over paid fat baffoons from their cushy cabins and throw them into the
street.
well said!!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteHere are a few things that I thought should be pointed out about your post that is both well written and timely:
1. Your take on what seems to be a glaring editorial oversight by The Telegraph: Let me assure you that The Telegraph is the most careful among Indian newspapers (with the possible exception of The Hindu) about its content. I know this because I have worked there and elsewhere, and am in a position to compare. I believe veteran journalists, including your father, would not disagree. Seldom, if ever, does The Telegraph carry corrigendums, a regular feature in such newspapers as The Times of India (if you look at Calcutta Times' "Oops" column, you will know what I mean).
It is, however, baffling that The Telegraph's the current crop of editors attributes the "error" to a technical glitch. I agree with you that the paper is taking cover under oversimplification and playing safe.
My theory is that the picture was published in the liberal spirit that the newspaper stands for, and the editors were in the loop. Earlier too, t2, the raunchy tabloid that comes with The Telegraph, has published pictures that could easily have offended sections of Calcutta's population but thankfully weren't noticed. The publishing of Poonam Pandey's picture was the same formula in action.
2. Your allegation that reports on communal flare-ups in reaction to the picture were killed by newspapers: This could well have been the case, because most respected newspapers do not believe in reporting communal violence. Remember, communal violence begets communal violence. Reporting such violence serves no purpose, besides endangering innocent lives needlessly. The Gujarat of 2002 was different, obviously, because of the scale. The riots were too huge to be brushed under the carpet.
3. Your suggestion that The Telegraph team responsible for the goof-up be fired: This is an unfortunate statement. Remember, the incident was the result of skewed judgement and not perverted intentions. It was a genuine human failing, the same that causes Team India to crash out of every international series nowadays. Editors, and especially those at The Telegraph, work tirelessly to bring out an above-average product. Let's hope this is never repeated.
PS: I have spent a some time in the media, and wholeheartedly agree with your father's opinion on the industry.
Thanks,
Shubhankar
Thank you Shubhankar for your great comment. It is about time that I openly declare that the above blog post was written by my angry heart. And I accept some of the points mentioned by you and would even go the extent of correcting some of my own rash comments on the topic. But the fact that remains is my anger is rooted in the lying attitude of the editorials. What has happened has happened and we are all sorry for it. But people needs to be responsible and the best way to let them know is to write what I had written. If I wouldn't have written this then I wouldn't had got your precious comment. Thank you for your effort. Lets hope poor technology is not blamed when the world comes crashing....ooops there I go again with my stupid remarks. Jokes apart The Telegraph should stop being too liberal with their spirit. Everybody makes mistake but when I look back on the Pic it still baffles me how can they even think of the pic as raunchy and liberal. Thats just load of crap. If some editor with public responsibility on his shoulder can get so goofed God save the King his content careful newspaper will bring him down one day.
ReplyDeletePs. Thanks for commenting. Please visit again we can have virtual wars and stuff like that .... Touché..........