Lack of training to those covering a crisis, anchors crossing the line between professionalism and personal biases and commercial compulsions are some of the issues that came to the fore as experts introspected media's role in covering the Mumbai terror attacks.
Accepting that there were "some shortcomings" in the coverage of the gory drama that unfolded in the metropolis on November 26, the panelists said "we should learn from mistakes and not allow anyone to exploit our `weaknesses'. "Media coverage, especially by television channels, was amateurish. We need to evolve as journalists," Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India, said.
"However, more important is to ensure that no one (read politicians) manipulates the situation for their benefit and gag our freedom," he said.
More than analysing media coverage of 26/11, it is important to know who is demanding a review of it, Shankar said, adding it was only because of this coverage that political heads rolled and the serious loopholes and laxity in the system were exposed.
"Also, there is a crisis of competence in media. On one hand upcoming journalists lack professionalism and urge to learn and on the other hand editors have failed to be mentors to these young guys," Shankar said, participating in a debate organised by The Press Club, Mumbai on `Did the Media Do its Job Covering 26/11 Terror Story?.'
{{/usCountry}}"Also, there is a crisis of competence in media. On one hand upcoming journalists lack professionalism and urge to learn and on the other hand editors have failed to be mentors to these young guys," Shankar said, participating in a debate organised by The Press Club, Mumbai on `Did the Media Do its Job Covering 26/11 Terror Story?.'
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