AN OPEN LETTER TO INDIAN MEDIA
Kind Attention: The Editor
"The critical importance of honest journalism and a free flowing,
respectful national conversation needs to be had in our country. But it
is being buried as collateral damage in a war whose battles include
political correctness and ideological orthodoxy."
Juan Williams
Dear Editors,
1. In a democracy at least, the media plays an all important, encompassing part. Media is all powerful. However, with this power comes the responsibility, a huge one indeed. Of protecting the nation.
2. It is extremely sad that in our country the media has hardly been honest and fearless, ever in general and of late in particular, as they ought to have been. Unless you are honest and unless you have the moral courage, you can never do service to the country. By towing the powers that be, you merely do a disservice to the nation which is worse than no service at all. On behalf of the millions of Veterans, their dependent family members, serving soldiers and their families, I would like to ask you three extremely simple questions:
(a) Where exactly were your resources yesterday (12 Sep 15) when the OROP Rally was going on at Jantar Mantar in Delhi?
(b) Why did you not just defy the govt's instructions not to give any coverage, electronic or print, to the OROP Rally? Aren't you independent?
(c) Doesn't your conscience ever prick you for dishonesty to your esteemed profession?
Nota bene. For Arnab Goswami Only. Please answer as "the nation wants to know."
3. You want us to read and see:
(a) Who is dating whom.
(b) Sanjay Dutt's parole schedule.
(c) Who showed cleavage and exactly how the wardrobe malfunction took place, step by step.
(d) Which corrupt, criminal politician (I refuse to call them our leaders) uttered what non sense.
(e) How Indrani played her vicious game (I have no interest).
(f) Where did Ranbir Kapoor and her fiancee (sorry I don't even remember her name) eat their last meal together.
(g) How did Laloo Prasad, the man responsible for Fodder Scam and a hardcore criminal, amuse the audience.
(h) Who wore what and where.
(j) All sleaze, no substance of intellectual level.
4. But you do not want the nation to read as to how the Soldier who has been dying continuously for you and 130 Crore other people of this country has been continually cheated, degraded and humiliated by different govts time and time again. You are obsessed with only dhotiwalas, babus and sex. That's all. Precisely, who calls you people 'the intelligentsia'?
5. Our story is a long one, punctuated by anguish and heartburn. I do understand that you do not have time to read us. Well, be that as it may, but frankly the entire Defence community is wondering that why the media did not go on air/print to cover the OROP Rally yesterday.
6. The aim of this communication is to just remind you that by not being honest to your profession, you are putting your own credibility at stake, if that really matters to you at all. People are talking, one just needs to trawl the social media platforms to see what is meant by that.
With regards and best wishes for your favourite hunting grounds,
"The power to mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of
the journalists of the future generations." Joseph Pulitzer
