The constant efforts of some (and of late many) journalists trying to whip up a quick controversy by simply copying Tharoor's tweets (and of late bytes) on to their new story (perhaps on a lean day?) does not make sense.
Firstly, tweets are limited by how much is being said and how much is being understood. Secondly, the stories often with headlines like "Tharoor whips up another controversy," etc, don't do not carry any weight.
Such a story usually made up of three or four of Tharoor's 140 character tweets and much is left the the scribe's limited imagination. The fact is --Tharoor tweeted (which may or may not be in line with what the govt is doing, its usually a casual statement or two). The assertion a journo makes is "it has created a controversy".
Now the question is-- Where is the controversy? When Tharoor tweeted, did any one else say anything against it? Did anyone-- small time party spokespersons incapable of scoring real political victories or TRP clowns-- even react to it before it was called a controversy? Who's trying to create a controversy here? What is a controversy? Is there a contention? Dispute? Debate? Agitation of contrary opinion? Or is it that the journalist feels that it is a controversy?
Perhaps we should interpret tweets as a good source of casual information, work on them to create better stories. All this nonsense will only serve the purpose of shutting up a politician who's disseminating information. Its a goose laying golden eggs. Don't kill it.
Sidharth Varadarajan, Deputy Editor of The Hindu presents a very sane view of the latest Tharoor controversy over Saudi's role in Indo Pak talks. I couldn't agree more when he argued that Tharoor is being pilloried for using a word many hacks didn't understand.
For only someone with a very modest collection of words at his disposal, or a very large hatchet, or both, could possibly interpret the junior minister’s reference to Saudi Arabia being a “valuable interlocutor for [India]” as assigning Riyadh a mediatory role between New Delhi and Islamabad.
In response to a question about Saudi Arabia’s close relations with Pakistan, this is what the Minister actually said: “We feel that Saudi Arabia, of course, has a long and close relationship with Pakistan, but that makes Saudi Arabia all the more valuable an interlocutor for us. When we tell them about our experience, Saudi Arabia listens as somebody who is not in anyway an enemy of Pakistan but a friend of Pakistan and, therefore, I am sure will listen with sympathy and concern to a matter of this nature.”
There is no way these words can be taken as suggesting mediation. If, nevertheless, Mr. Tharoor felt compelled to issue a clarification, this was not for lack of clarity in what he said but for the media’s inability to understand.
Some TV channels also ran breaking news on Monday citing the supposed failure of the Congress party to defend the Minister as proof that the “high command” was indeed very angry with his “interlocutor” reference.
Of course, no actual evidence of such anger was produced.
Read more here
4 comments:
I have always felt that the media hypes up Tharoor's tweets. But in this case I certainly cannot agree to his comment upon Saudi acting as an interlocutor. Whether a friend/enemy of Pak/Ind ... we don't need any 3rd party to involve. The damage happened to us.. we might as well find the solution and cause for it ourselves..not for satisfying ego but cos we are capable of it.
We dont need any third party..true..but its good to give a try..We are capable of finding a solution,but why the solution not being made...What damage?
I'm getting quite fed up by the cock n bull tales some of our half-baked peanut brains going by the pet-name 'journalists' manage to cook up... Total airheads! Its unbelievable that our media houses have to resort and cling on to such third-rate methods and standards of news reporting, or I should say news manufacturing! Anyone would think people carry some heavy personal vendetta against Tharoor.
Journalist's don't cook up. It's their job to reveal things. Yes I agree that they do hype up at times.. but serious journalists are doing a serious job. Tharoor's honesty would not matter if he wasn't an MoS.
We don't have to try solutions like getting a 3rd party to interfere. We are developed enough to find solutions . They will of course take time cos co operation and balance is lacking between the countries. By damage , I meant the partition, and terrorism.
Partition was a bill passed by the assembly and Terrorism is its after effect.Yea. as you said senior journalists are doing a great job, not all.
Pakistani's are our dear brothers.Peace talks can't make a difference. From Bhutto's time till now, we were trying to have a settlement. But what they want is Kashmir. If they want that place, let them take it,but only if there is an end to this terrorism. Now the fire has reached Hockey field. How can an Indian player do like that?
People of Kashmir wants peace. They are really looking forward to India's every single decision. Today hurriyet Leader Syed gilani said.. 'India should accept Kashmir as dispute'. Hurriyet Conference is one group which is trying to bring back peace in the valley.
Everyday there is a terrorist attack in Pakistan. They supported Taliban earlier when they were reigning Kabul.They had a very good deal with Pervez Musharaf. Now that 1/3 of Afghanistan is under Talibans hand, which automatically means Al Queada has a good majority there.LeT and all terrorist organisation in Pak is funded by Al.Q, and the source for their income. 1. Opium sales 2. Arm deals with American Ammunition Inc. We are so close to our enemys.
Third pary thing never works, everyone knows that.. India tried that once in Sri Lanka, paid the price -Rajiv Gandhis death. Again Norway had a bitter experience there.
Just look around..almost all our neighbours are our enemies.
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