April 15, 2009: Is media jingoism fanning Indo-Pak tensions?

                 There was a 180-degree divergence in views on the debate, “Is Media Jingoism Fanning Indo-Pak Tensions?” organised by the Foundation for Media Professionals in New Delhi on April 13. Amit Baruah, Foreign Affairs Editor of the Hindustan Times said the media could sway the government, Beena Sarwar, unaffiliated Pakistani journalist, cited a recent example in support, columnist Swapan Dasgupta said its influence on bilateral relations was “limited” while Daily Mail editor Bharat Bhushan cautioned journalists against having an “inflated notion of ourselves.”

The debate was a fourth in a series since the Mumbai terror attacks. FMP had invited five Pakistani/Pak-based journalists and as many Indian speakers. There were no vacant seats at India International Centre’s main auditorium, despite the debate being in the forenoon, on a weekday. There were some surprise visitors. They were from the Sri Rama Sene, which had also attacked a pub in Mangalore. They shouted slogans in an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt the debate but managed to get headline mentions in channels and next day’s newspapers.

Sarwar said Pakistani media reacted with sympathy initially but closed ranks after the speed with which Indian media blamed Pakistan for the attacks. It was because of the media’s projection of an Indian request as “summons” that the Pakistan’s government could not risk a visit by ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, as it would have been seen as “nak katwane wal bath” or a humiliating response, Sarwar said.

Saeed Minhas, editor of Daily Aaj Kal, said jingoism was always there, it got accentuated after November 26, 2008. He said the media is being manipulated by state agencies, rather than the other way around, and the media plays along when government is weak. He blamed the pursuit of profit and “breaking news syndrome for breaking the barriers of impartiality.”