The media’s methods
Barkha Dutt’s analysis Content and discontent (August 4) deserves praise. The move by the I&B Ministry to put ‘content code’ in the form of a legislation is a retrograde one. Our society is getting integrated with the outside world culturally and economically and modern technology has liberated our outlook. We are more emancipated than ever before and the very talk of putting restrictions on the media is preposterous.
DP Ganguly, via e-mail
III
No doubt, there is an urgent need to regulate the electronic media as some Hindi news channels thrive on cheap and sensational news. However, this regulation should be done by the media people themselves. The government should strictly keep off it.
Brajesh Kumar, via e-mail
III
Barkha Dutt cogently fathomed the sad plight of Hindi channel viewers. In fact, viewers are fed up with watching unwarranted content off and on throughout the day. There was a time when TV viewers eagerly waited for news telecasts on some channels, discarding viewing DD news. Now with cheap journalism on Hindi news channels, the only option left for Hindi TV viewers is to watch DD news.
SD Sahay, Delhi
IV
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{{/usCountry}}Restrictions on the media will impact on the freedom of the minds of people. We should support the media for highlighting the truth. With corruption at all levels in society, the media remains our only hope to convey our concerns to politicians.
Shadab Husain, Lucknow
V
One agrees with Barkha Dutt that the television industry must have its own independent regulatory body of trusted people, which would define a set of broadcasting codes to ensure decent news coverage. Obscenity, nudity, obscurantism and other nonsense should not be passed off as the ‘day’s news’. Rather than exposing bodies, the media should expose the corrupt, criminals, rapists and killers, whoever and wherever they are.
RK Malhotra, Delhi
Cautious welcome
Apropos of the editorial Hyde and seek (August 9), one should not forget that the US is like a salesman interested only in his own profits. America is the main exporter of weapons, a mainstay of its economy. The US claim that it is the global champion of human rights is hypocritical. When its interests are involved, it can embrace a dictator like Musharraf. So let us not be so thrilled about the Indo-US nuclear agreement.
SP Sharma, Mumbai
Attack on secularism
The attack on Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen by members of the MIM was inappropriate. It’s true that Taslima wrote some derogatory statements against the Prophet. But Muslims should realise that respect for the Prophet cannot be reduced by people who don’t realise that with freedom of expression comes the responsibility of not hurting the religious sentiments of others.
Mohd Salahuddin, Mumbai
II
The attack on Taslima Nasreen by Islamist goons defied all democratic norms. The attackers said that they ‘do not care for the country... are Muslim first and will do so in future if anybody dares to criticise Islam’. This not only violates the Constitution but hurts the feelings of their brethren. There is no place in India for people who are not Indian first.
MK Barua, Delhi
III
The attack on Taslima was shocking. I always took pride in the rich culture of our nation and believed ours was the best civilisation in the world. But after this, I have no such illusions.
Himanshu Kumar, Delhi
Zero tolerance for road rage
Apropos of the report People suffering from road rage need professional help (August 9), whenever such cases are reported to the police, those involved must be given stringent punishment. Otherwise offenders will continue to commit such crimes.
B Premi, Delhi
Un-real estate
Financial fraud, corruption, and land scams will continue to take place until a foolproof policy on allotment of land for weaker sections is formulated and is implemented in a transparent manner.
Manjula Pal, Delhi
Equal before the law
Judge PD Kode’s verdict sentencing Sanjay Dutt to six years imprisonment is within the framework of the law of the land. Before the law, there is no celebrity or national figure. When Dutt is linked with illegal arms, why should he plead his innocence? The media should realise their responsibility in the national interest.
W Dilbung Lamkang, Nagaland
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