October 11 Page 2

Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Why NDTV Dropped Chidambaram Interview? Imphal Tuesday, October 11, 2016 By : Siddharth Varadarajan country, NDTV’s editorial director and their aftermath, or question presence or absence – evidence. The Indian soldiers who Sonia Singh explained the new their military efficacy? Evidence is central to journalism. But attacked terror targets in Pakistan- editorial policy: 10. Will criticism of the Armed ‘evidence’ is also the word on which Imphal-Jirbam road: a occupied Kashmir may have Dear all, Forces (Special Powers) Act, or the the political debate of the past week returned home without any fatalities Across the NDTV network, we have use of pellet guns against civilians has turned. While some of the on their side but there is one decided we will not give space to by the security forces in Kashmir, demands for ‘evidence’ of the tool for political gimmick casualty that the surgical strike the bizarre political bickering that be allowed on NDTV in the future? surgical strikes we have heard over Again this is about playing with the sentiment of the common did cause on our side of the border: has broken out on the surgical In her reply to The Wire, Radhika the past few days are misplaced, the people. Every move, now and then is directly or indirectly related Indian journalism has been left strikes…..no debates, no airtime of Roy provided a general explanation debate arose because the with the upcoming 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election. grievously injured. my strikes vs yours, give proof of NDTV’s policy, but did government needlessly withheld Yesterday we in the Imphal Times had pointed out how the Marching right behind the special etc…whether it is opposition or the not answer specific questions, information about the operation that controversies surrounding over the establishment of National forces who crossed the Line of govt….only the army…..to explain especially those on Chidambaram, ought to be in the public domain in Sports University in the state of Manipur has been using as a Control to deliver “five slaps” on this.. here is a gfx we should carry Rahul Gandhi, Manohar Parrikar and India because it is already known to tool for campaigning the upcoming assembly poll by both the BJP Pakistan – to use defence minister today as the lead in our Amit Shah: the Pakistani military – such as the and INC. And today too it is the condition of the Imphal Jiribam Manohar Parrikar’s phrase – most bulletins….…[name redacted], “Like all decisions we take at NDTV, locations hit and the mode of road that both the parties are considering as another effective news channels have crossed the please can this be designed…here we are driven by editorial and attack. States that are serious tool. line that separates journalism from is the text…. journalistic integrity and the belief welcome verification of claims that Well, fifteen years ago, the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of National PR and worse. INDIA ABOVE POLITICS that the political mud slinging they publicly make. This is not Highway is a major issue. Nongthongbam Biren, the MLA from If one channel is trying to get its National security cannot be regarding the surgical strikes because they are afraid their army Heingang Assembly constituency, who had recently tender anchors to end their bulletins with compromised by politics without a shred of evidence was won’t be trusted but because resignation from the state assembly as well as the Congress party, a ‘Jai Hind’ sign-off, another has Our Army cannot be doubted or actually damaging to our national transparency (on details that do not had organized a mass movement to repair the road with money created a ‘war room’ for its staff to questioned or used for political security. We do not believe that we compromise security) builds greater contributed from the public. At that time Mr. Biren was the Editor play soldier – complete with an gains are obliged to carry every shred of respect for the capabilities of their of a popular Manipur’s Newspaper and soon after he became anchor wearing an imitation ‘flak The current political debate drivel that has now come to pass as military. MLA, the mobilization was let forgotten from the mind of the jacket’ to shield him from enemy fire threatens to do this public discourse. I’d also like to If important political leaders – people. as he plans his own surgical strikes NDTV will not air any remarks that stress that this is part of our normal whether from the opposition or the But each time when there is a prolong economic blockade called on Pakistan. risk security for political advantage editorial policy not to provide a government – engage in mud along the National Highway, both the government as well as the India Today TV anchor in faux The ‘gfx’ was prepared and platform to outrageous and wild slinging or make loose statements transporters started talking about this road until the blockade military gear at his channel’s ‘war highlighted at the top of the 9 pm accusations that thrive only on “without a shred of evidence”, called ended. room’. Credit: Siddharth Varadarajan news bulletin on Thursday night. publicity. Our statement giving our should journalists shield the public Fifteen years down the line now, nothing has change to the Even before the army operation, For some reason, the second point reasons is on air and I think that from them? Or should they report condition of the Imphal-Jiribam road, now NH 37. The condition NewsX declared via its editor-in- – about not questioning the army – answers the larger question. their remarks, with context, is no better comparing those days. chief that the channel would no was dropped from the graphic (see “As the news develops, every background and analysis, so that The decision of the Transporters’ and Drivers’ Council to assist longer be referring to Pakistan as above). statement being made is run through viewers or readers can form their own the government in repairing the road is a welcoming step. The ‘Pakistan’ on its prime time show but In keeping with the new editorial that editorial filter. This is of course opinions? The danger in choosing congress government under the leadership of Okram Ibobi has as ‘Terror State of Pakistan’. On its policy, the channel will no a fluid situation but the basic the first option, as NDTV evidently now announced about the need for urgent repairmen of the road. part, Times Now has led the charge longer allow politicians and other principle remains the same. We will has done, is that it becomes difficult But one wanders why only now when election is just four or five against the presence of Pakistani guests to question the strikes on air. investigate any story – whether it to treat ruling party and opposition months from now. artistes in India and has even The Wire sent a series of questions involves the army or anyone else – alike. On Friday, for example, the It is often heard that, the High Ways are supposed to be demanded that diplomatic relations to Radhika Roy, co-founder and as long as it is based on hard channel broadcast back-to- maintained by the Central government. But the people of Manipur with Islamabad be downgraded. chairperson of NDTV, and Sonia evidence. back press conferences by Amit had already heard the Central government blaming the state It’s too early to tell what this surge Singh, on Friday afternoon – right “Regarding the rest, I am astonished Shah of the BJP and Kapil Sibal of government for its lack of corporation. This means the BJP which of nationalist reporting has done for after BJP president Amit Shah’s that internal newsroom discussions the Congress. But by the evening, is in power at the centre is playing its election gimmick to the the ratings of these channels but press conference was telecast on and draft mails, which may change the channel’s website had only a issue of National High way. the aggressive manner in which they the channel. a million times ( as I am sure they do story on Shah criticising the Every election time the condition of the road comes up in public have led the charge against analysts 1. What prompted NDTV to in any newsroom) is something that Congress, with Sibal’s rebuttal sphere and blame game begins between political parties. But and opposition politicians who announce a new editorial policy as should be a matter of public tagged on as two lines at the end. when the election days over the issue of this specific road will be suggested the government provide mentioned in its message ‘India interest! For us the final decision To be sure, both leaders played forgotten and will be left as it is until another election days come more information on the surgical Above Politics’? and what we stand by is what goes politics with national security. But to start their politics. strikes has drawn praise from Amit 2. Was it true that the decision to on air.” only one gets his video archived Shah, president of the Bharatiya not air Rahul Gandhi’s remarks was There is one word which stands out prominently – Shah – while the other Janata Party. taken pursuant to the new editorial in Roy’s reply because of the seems to have vanished into ether. Web Responsive The BJP’s position is that it was the policy? importance she places on its ( Courtesy: The Kashmir Observer ) army which decided to go public 3. Extracts of P. Chidambaram’s with the news about the strikes interview to Barkha Dutt were Pensioners’ Service and that asking for more information played during the day on October 6 National & International News A step towards empowerment of pensioners by improving would lower the morale of the army but the full interview was finally Transparency, Responsiveness & Accountability and undermine national security.

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