As I watch the news from home, I am dumbfounded to see Barkha Dutt of NDTV break every rule of ethical journalism in reporting the Mumbai mayhem. Take a couple of instances for example:

* In one instance she asks a husband about his wife being stuck, or held as a hostage. The poor guy adds in the end about where she was last hiding. Aired! My dear friends with AK-47s, our national news is helping you. Go get those still in. And be sure to thank NDTV for not censoring this bit of information.
* In another instance, a General sort of suggests that there were no hostages in Oberoi Trident. (Clever.) Then, our herione of revelations calls the head of Oberoi, and the idiot confirms a possibility of 100 or more people still in the building. Hello! Guys with guns, you've got more goats to slay. But before you do, you've got to love NDTV and more precisely Ms. Dutt. She's your official intelligence from Ground zero.

You do not need to be a journalist to understand the basic premise of ethics, which starts with protecting victims first; and that is done by avoiding key information from being aired publicly—such as but not limited to revealing the number of possible people still in, the hideouts of hostages and people stuck in buildings.
Imagine you're one of those sorry souls holed-up in one of those bathrooms, or kitchens. A journalist pulls your kin outside and asks about your last contact on national television, and other prying details. In a bout of emotion, if they happen to reveal more details, you are sure going to hell. Remember these are hotels, where in all likelihood, every room has a television. All a terrorist needs to do is listen to Ms. Barkha Dutt's latest achievement of extracting information from your relative, based on your last phone-call or SMS. And you're shafted—courtesy NDTV.1
If the terrorists don't manage to shove you in to your private hell, the journalists on national television will certainly help you get there. One of the criticisms about Barkha Dutt on Wikipedia reads thus:

During the Kargil conflict, Indian Army sources repeatedly complained to her channel that she was giving away locations in her broadcasts, thus causing Indian casualties.

Casualties.....they are our soldiers...casualties means an Honest Blooded Soldier has died or worse still is condemned to a life of Handicap dueto loss of either/or limbs/arms/eyes all because someone could get a medal???

Pl think about it

you may want to know that the author of this email- a certain Mr. Kunte who lives in Holland.. has been sent a legal notice by NDTV for the rubbish and lies peddled in this email.

Best Regards

Barkha Dutt.

Jounalists specially people like Barkha bring India to our homes day in and day out. Who ever posted the rubbish above must remember that India is the greatest democratic country in the world and every Indian has the right to get the information of what is going on. I think the media has done a fantastic job covering the Mumbai mayhem. Had the media not covered the fiasco the way it did,the ministers would not have been sacked and Polticians might not have received the criticism which they eventually deserved.

Calling something rubbish is very simple, u just call it rubbish.
Can anyone of u objectively defend it....Actually I was pretty excited when I read the email "Barkha dutt replied to your post" as it comes in my inbox whenever there is activity, I thought I would her a great mind speak and instead u are threatening me of Legal Action???
I hope and others too hope to hear better.
Meanwhile thanks for other positives (many actually) contributed by you and Media in general

Mr Saini,

Just because some random bloke can sit at a computer and make up stuff doesnt mean he or others like him need to be dignified with responding to their utter and total rubbish. rubbish is what it is. And as already mentioned. Mr. Kunte has been served a legal notice for libel by NDTV. That should give you some indication of where we and I stand. The freedom afforded by the Interent cannot be used to fling allegations at individuals or groups in the hope that they will then respond to things that arent worthy of engagement.

If you have any remaining questions my column on media coverage is available online.
Happy New Year.

Hi , think media has taken commendable strides ,barkha is perhaps best we have on electronic media , there are many other's bordering on hyperbole ,rehtoric & jargon ...barkha deserves all credit for passionate ,incisive & sensible reporting ....

not that i'm a lawyer - but can't Mr. Kunte counter-sue (or whatever the term is) for the "utter and total rubbish" comment?

i'd much rather have seen a response that said - NDTV never aired such an item, and never will - and i've actually not spotted such a response (not that i went searching for it either).

Ma'am Ms Barkha, While unreasonable independence or freedom may be unacceptable over the internet (Sexual Crimes etc) it is the power of Internet which has and will made the Vital difference, its these Media which define democracy now...Just as you amongst other young Journos....you bring the mighty down to their knees because you check them. Isn't it reasonable that someone checks YOU/OTHERS, Although I AGREE totally that it cannot be a batch of fabricated lies to do that.
But these probably aren't that fabricated, just yesterday a news item in TOI while talking about the evidence to be submited to Pak was highlighting how the militants were told step by step how army is approaching....ma'am u do remember the images of Commandos getting down from Helicopters to surprise the militants (of course to surprise them is why choppers and not the entrance was used) but all that was telecasted on live TV (not necessarily by you or NDTV) and it took AWAY the blow.
Ma'am bygones are bygones and a great mature and responsible Nation is ahead...Right Next Corner and You amongst others have the Key to it.
You have made your Mark...You are the Best Now (there is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBTING THAT). If you will not use your powers to regulate all this to not let it further happen...then I am afraid there is no difference between us and the proverbial politicians who criticise the Muck only to get into it and finally to Control (and even create more) of it...
-Dr.Gagan Saini

Ever thought that the info. on NDTV might have also helped the NSG people locate those in hiding and saved them too....there's always a two side of every story....i recommend Mr.Saini to have applied a better intelligence and also that atleast the news channel has focussed on the news risking their own lives...the so called heroine addressed by Mr Saini was also the one who was reporting for kargil war, lost her crew member while reporting ..... i guess that's a piece of info. Mr.Saini missed on his coffee table.
Is Mr.Sani listening and is he still missing loads of info on his coffee table looking at the grass on the other side...which definitely is greener....ouch...hope it doesn't hurt.

Ever thought that the info. on NDTV might have also helped the NSG people locate those in hiding and saved them too....there's always a two side of every story....i recommend Mr.Saini to have applied a better intelligence and also that atleast the news channel has focussed on the news risking their own lives...the so called heroine addressed by Mr Saini was also the one who was reporting for kargil war, lost her crew member while reporting ..... i guess that's a piece of info. Mr.Saini missed on his coffee table.
Is Mr.Sani listening and is he still missing loads of info on his coffee table looking at the grass on the other side...which definitely is greener....ouch...hope it doesn't hurt.

In any discussion no-one is completely correct or completely wrong, the Idea of any discussion is simply developing perspective...and perspective is what is completely lacking in above comments....I would love to go on record to say that I WOULD LOVE TO STAND CORRECTED (or as some may say get defeated or as above may say get "hurt")...yes I'd love to do that...we are discussing not a small person but a national figure-Ms Dutt.
What is to be understood is that doing things more responsibly may help the nation more, these expectations are not towards some wimp but towards someone whom we all admire and respect and I am sure this can be achieved by her.
What is to be understood that sharp rheotoric like "Ever thought that the info. on NDTV might have also helped the NSG people locate those in hiding and saved them too..." (the comment above)Does not help because it lacks objectivity!!
While I have ruffled many feathers with my comments, One must remember that ruffling feathers is preparation of life ahead, its beautiful and Optimistic.

All I say is that... With Great Power comes great responsibility...

I totally agrere with what Gagan says. Being in media, imagine the kind of responsibilities you have!! Imagine how you might be influencing the minds of people at large, in both positive and negative ways.. Imagine, with all the gunfire being shown on our dear channels NDTV and CNN a child telling his parents he wants to be a terrorist. Guys, believe me this is a true story!!
Not to mention, the compromises being done on national security while airing. Sitting anywhere in the world, one could knw where the choppers involved in the rescue operations were heading!! Now, is that what you would call responsible journalism? Being brave and being in the thick is one thing but being naive and foolishly brave is another thing!! The society needs information but at what cost is what the media needs to decide. The same things could have been aired once the operation was done!! Imagine this was national security we are talking about!!
And whats this thing about legal action as I read along!!
The least I could have expected from a percieved intelligent journalist is an open-mind!!

Hi , think this discussion is pureile & conjecture , sure media adheres to protocols in war situations ..barkha derverves credit for committed and passionate reporting...least one can do is recognize creditable & committed work ...

What is important is to understand that we are not talking about what "least" can be done but rather about what is responsible journalism in general.

Hi ,all justifications are mere explanations , media is not the custodian of law ...guess has done a responsible role as fourth estate...perpetrators & reponsible authorities need to be targetted...barkha ,srinivasan jain , NDTV & others have done a commendable job...its bad taste to target committed work in thick of things ....

so let me think for once....reporting about corrupt politician would have Mr.Saini saying that "gosh! this is irresponsible journalism..the heroine didnt once think that the corrupt politicians family was starving for days besides his salary and extra income which couldn't satisfy the family's hunger for more....The journalist should have thought about the family at least..." .Right! Mr.Saini...... hope this doesnt ruffle your feathers further...happy grinning!!!
The idea of responsible journalism is correct but....r u not footing it on wrong grounds...??? Do reply!!

so let me think for once....reporting about corrupt politician would have Mr.Saini saying that "gosh! this is irresponsible journalism..the heroine didnt once think that the corrupt politicians family was starving for days besides his salary and extra income which couldn't satisfy the family's hunger for more....The journalist should have thought about the family at least..." .Right! Mr.Saini...... hope this doesnt ruffle your feathers further...happy grinning!!!
The idea of responsible journalism is correct but....r u not footing it on wrong grounds...??? Do reply!!

Hi, I think we are letting our passions run too high!! We are trying to have an open-minded discussions on whats the limit of journalism is and not to cast aspersions at each-other.
Is it right to air things which are in deterrant to national security? If the answer is no, we can take this discussion furthur!!
Don't you think what we need here is a proper co-ordination between the armed forces and the media. Did you notice we didn't have too many reports from Oberois. The area was totally cordoned off by the army...
Most of what we heard was later. I am sure there was a purpose to such cordoning!!
The armed forces obviously didn't want the media to air everything and anything...
The media has a role to bring information to the common man, but when is always a question media needs to answer!! Whatever information that needed to be air could have been aired later and not at the scene of action!! It seemed like a TV show running, trying to catch as many eyeballs as possible. It seemed like a cheap reality show between NDTV and CNN.
Don't you think a NDTV and CNN is becoming another tabloid newspaper! And imagine the kind of impact they have on the minds of people!!

Hi , it would be proper to seek resignations of National security advisor , IB chief ..others....media is not a participant to security issues..

The last thing I would perpetrate is Bad taste....journos have a responsibility, journos have to take care of National Interests,, nobody can justify showing live coverage of surprise movements in the name of good journalism.
It was probably in bad taste for our defenders (who by the way are the ones in the THICK of things), it makes them vulnerable....I hope my friends understand what does being vulnerable mean in a gunbattle situation....the BEST outcome after getting out alive for some is probably death and nothing in-between....and they do so not for anyone else but YOU and ME my friend...Responsible journalism encompasses responsibility to the abovementioned ATLEAST. The live reporting (not necessarily from Ms.Barkha/NDTV) helped the terrorists form strategies and ground movement protocols....well do u know what is the most valuable resource for a soldier in war (no its not life)- its intelligence inputs, which were easily provided by our respected journos (Its a HUGE help if I may pl re-emphasise)
Also I must clarify that I am only and only discussing responsible journalism during national crises where discretion is of utmost importance, and not discussing any other news items (like domestic news concerning politicians etc) in general.
The idea of responsible journalism is correct and there is NO countering it...and this is the ONLY fact I want to put forward...and where will I put it if not towards the most loved and respected Journo in society.
Our Nation too agrees with what is being said and bill to make media responsible is around the corner, THOUGH I do NOT support any laws to curb journalism in general but for national Interest I guess I will.

Because... with Great Power comes Great Responsibility.

Pleeze Sir I am not seeking any one's resignation, this is simply a discussion board where we are to develop a perspective...I would never want Barkha Dutt to be out, the void will be too large to fill

Hi , I just felt its grossly unfair to target somebody who is committed & one of best we have....there are any number of arm chair columnists in print & opinion makers clamouring for soundbytes on television ...security has aspects but is primarily a state subject...its an intelligence & law & order failure ....have nothing more to say, happy new year!

Again I think we r being too passionate about our responses, just because we all love Barkha Dutt. Her contributions to media are commendable.
But isn't the subject about media's responsibility.
Media is a powerful medium and has the ability the influence our minds tacitly. With the reach of media more widespread than ever, isn't it important that we delve into the control media needs to exercise, while airing sensitive issues.
And here its just not about Barkha Dutt but about media at large. We have come a long way from the state-run doordarshan days where every piece of news was perhaps filtered by a state-run appointee. We changed the system. Now is again time to step back and ask ourselves - do we need a limiting authority. And again dn't get be wrong, I am not perpetuating a state-run regime. I am talking about a self-controlled responsible order where the best people know whats right to air for their nation and for people at large. Media needs to step back from a TRP capturer and become a policing agent which brings the right news to the people at the right time!!

Hi, this is relentless ....state run media is no good ..:), happy new year!

"a certain Mr. Kunte who lives in Holland.. has been sent a legal notice by NDTV for the rubbish and lies peddled in this email."

Barkha, are you sure that Mr. Kunte is the author of the "rubbish and lies" in "this email"? I thought Hindu has reported it first that a certain Admiral Sureesh Mehta had said so (http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120360861300.htm). Was the Admiral sent a legal notice as well?

And was Mr. Kunte's "email" used to determine he lived in Holland? If yes, how? Where and how was the legal notice sent?

gagan i am glad u are openly criticizing the trash being doled out by the electronic media on almost a daily basis. and yes, btw i hope people realize that an ordinary blogger will in no way be able to stand up to the might of a news channel and hence it is no surprise that mr. kunte was forced to apologize to ndtv. also, if ndtv has such a problem with what mr. kunte's blog says then why doesnt the channel sue wikipedia as well??? considering he was also quoting from that site. obviously ndtv (and other news channels) would find it easier to pick on an ordinary individual who would be forced to give in without a legal battle.

Been following this Kunte v. Dutt issue since yesterday. I am the sole dissenting voice in the blogsphere who thinks NDTV / Ms. Dutt has every right to send lawyers at Mr. Kunte's doors. If you care to read more on why I think so you could read it on my blog. http://sanjukta.wordpress.com

Please note its not an attempt to bring traffic to my blog, it is very popular already, its just that my post is too long and full of hyperlinks which will not work on this board, so...

Will someone please clear things for my sake ? I got a little pained and did turn off the TV after a while so missed out on all the "live action".

a) Did NDTV actually air that info ? About the specifics of hostages being in there etc ? I do remember another channel doing something similar, and effectively making it public there were still a lot of people in there when the official statements were tight lipped about the same.

b) Did they or did they not interview relatives of hostages/deceased during and immediately after ?

I'm not disagreeing with these (or not), but I will defend an individuals right to disagreement. To me, the news channels seemed to merely be going overboard so far, but I'd kinda rationalized it with a "their just being enthusiastic about their jobs" thought. But with their current reaction they've suddenly lost even the last bit of respect. The judgments passed and views aired on national TV are well known - but the same - divergent opinions of an individual - are intolerable, huh ?

Sad. They've stooped too low. Barkha, I did think you were the more level headed amongst the media before this episode. I can only hope this was done on bad legal advice and will be corrected. You guys need to stand up for freedom of speech more than anyone else - and multiple reads of that post (yes, I had NOT read it earlier so thanks!) do not convince me that there was anything in it that needed taking down.

Hi...this is a diatribe , Zardari would be happy at "non state actor's" here...we talk our heads out without doing anything...thats our version of democracy....defamation is not entitlement....would you like it..irrespective of anything....

Another reason to avoid NDTV :). Is 1984 your favorite book as well?