NDTV & TOI raises the bar

This is certainly hilarious stuff. It cant get better(or worse) than this.

First NDTV thinks a athlete hugging Rahul Gandhi should be their headline news. But Pièce de résistance is NDTV claim that boxer kept waving at Rahul during his bout! So NDTV thinks Vijender was waving at Rahul more than giving punches to opponent! I hope the reporter didnot confuse punching with waving..

The medal rounds haven't started but Rahul Gandhi decided to stop by to watch the bouts. Vijender Singh clearly seemed thrilled since he kept waving to the Congress general secretary during his bout.

If NDTV has published this news how can you expect TOI to be lagging in race? They have also published this news Boxer Vijender gets VIP support and as usual TOI language was more flowery.

Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra lustily cheered Vijender Singh during his boxing bout on Friday.

Cheered lustily!! I guess TOI might have accidently pasted a word which they meant to use for their other usual articles in TOI website such as these

TOI also informs us

Gandhi, who is also an avid fan of kickboxing, and Vadra can be seen trying to get one-up on each other in their racing bikes in Gurgaon.

IBN forgets to thank someone

According to IBN,

CNN-IBN was India's most watched English news channel in the week the Ayodhya judgment was delivered.

Rajdeep Sardesai showed his Magnanimity by thanking the viewers

“We thank our discerning viewers for showing immense faith in us time and again. With a team of expert journalists we are constantly striving at providing our viewers with the most exhaustive and in-depth coverage on all issues and will remain committed to doing the same,

Media Watch thinks Rajdeep has forgotten to thank “someone” who single handedly helped this success for IBN.

Did Media blackout what Omar actually said?

As I type this; most of Indian media today is reporting about “Protests in J&K Assembly over Omar's remarks‎” by BJP and NPP. However, it is intriguing that none of Indian media is reporting in detail Omars speech which has caused such anger among BJP and  NPP legislators. In fact, most of media is attributing it to his reply to saffron parties stand on J&K.

Times of India in its article Protests in J&K Assembly over Omar's remarks writes

In an apparent reference to the saffron party's stand that there was no dispute to be resolved with regard to Jammu and Kashmir, Omar had said if that would have been the case, there would have been no need for the Simla agreement, Lahore declaration and talks in Agra and Delhi.

At first glance, Its a fair statement by a mature statesman. But a detailed search of different news sources reveal a different and scary story. Since not even a single news media carried the speech in full, we have tried to piece together his speech by piecing together snippets from different news source. Some of key statements he made are captured

Statement 1: Kashmir is an Outstanding issue

India Today in their article Omar says J&K govt no puppet reports

At international fora, we have always referred to Kashmir as an outstanding issue and it needs to be resolved. New Delhi should initiate a dialogue process with both Islamabad and J&K. The Union home minister has rightly stated that J&K has entered into accession under unique circumstances and its solution has to be unique

So it seems Omar reemphasized that Kashmir is an outstanding issue. To the best of my knowledge India has always  stated that Kashmir(including Pakistan occupied Kashmir) is integral territory of India. If its integral territory of India how can it be an outstanding issue?

Statement 2:Kashmir has acceded but not merged

The Hindu in their article Don't compare J&K with other States: Omar  reports

“J&K is not like Junagadh or Hyderabad,” he said in the State Assembly. “These States first acceded to one country and then merged with it. J&K acceded to India in very unique circumstances and did not merge. Had we merged with India, we would not have had a special constitutional position.

India Today in their article Omar says J&K govt no puppet captures rest of statement reports

"Because J&K has never backed out from the agreements, the other side (government of India) is duty bound to fulfil its responsibilities

Can someone ask him which part of Indias responsibility have not it fulfilled? Please refer this facts and figures .

Economic Times in their report Omar's speech triggers ruckus in house, BJP member hurt further captures his statement 

A day after Abdullah said in the assembly that "the state has acceded through an agreement to India and not merged with it",

So it seems Omar is not claiming that Kashmir is not even merged with India. Are we allowed to ask a dumb question. How can Kashmir fully merge with India when you have Article 370 around and when Kashmiri women who marry men from other states can not even purchase land or property in Jammu & Kashmir.

Statement 3: Criticize BJP for "Kashmir is integral part of India" stance

Economic times report that Omar even slammed BJP's "Kashmir is integral part of India" stance.

Abdullah Wednesday also asked BJP members why they had often stated that Kashmir was an integral part of India and why they did not say the same about Tamil Nadu?

Errr… did BJP even not say TN is not integral part of India? Economic Times continues

The Hindu in their article Don't compare J&K with other States: Omar captures rest of statement reports

When you repeat this again and again that means you have doubts in your heart... After claiming that J&K is an integral part, you talk about the removal of Article 370 [special status for the State].

India Today completes this statement by capturing his finishing lines

"It seems you have a doubt about it and you want to reassure yourself. Hence the repetition of the slogan,

So according to Omar "Kashmir is integral part of India" is a mere slogan!

Statement 4: Kashmir is not a developmental issue

News track in their article Chaos in J-K Assembly over Omar Abdullah's speech report

"Kashmir was an outstanding issue which needs to be resolved. It is a political issue and cannot be addressed through development, employment or good governance only

Now it seems that the rage of BJP and NPP legislators are very valid. This raises several very concerning questions about Media in india

1. Why is media underplaying such an outrageous speech by chief minister of a state? This is the same media which hailed Omar Abdullah as secular messiah for his 10 minute speech in Loksabha. His statatements were discussed and published threadbare.
2. Please notice the headlines of all news media. How its is mellowed down and donot address the core issue.
3. One must also remember same media blacked out purposefully Pakistan flags being hoisted in Kashmir!

I have tried to be exhaustive in my search but if readers notice something more which needs to be added here and something wrong please let me know

Tail piece: NDTV website has no mention of this and it seems they are still engrossed with Shielas racial slur and BJP’s trouble in Karnataka. 

Pseudo-secular abound on your channel

Following is the transcript of famous Ravi Shankar Prasad & Barkha Dutt encounter in TV while discussing Ayodhya Verdict

Barkha

and Ravi Sankar Prasad is with us. He is of course senior face in BJP and  was also one of senior advocate for one of Hindu groups ….. Ravi… How should we read this judgment according to you. There are some like Rajiv Dhawan who have argued on this channel that its a shocking one sided judgment other like the wakf board have said that its partially disappointing and your party has said that it paves the way for building of grand Mandir. What is the big message that you  take away .. Ravi from this judgment

Media Watch take: Please note she has not mentioned even a single person who was talking positively about the verdict

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Barkha let me tell you one thing very clearly.. today I am talking to you .. I will be very quick because I have to rush otherwise my plane will become late

I am not here to respond to the conventional Pseudo-secularist who are abound on your channel ..today my take is entirely different. I have got the entire judgment key points before me which I have brought from lucknow

Ram was a revered pious figure for the Hindus… Muslims never questioned. Ram was born in Ayodhya…. they never questioned. Ayodhya is sacred for Hindus…they never questioned. What they questioned was that this is not the place that the Hindus believe he was born. Issue 14, issue 22, Issue 19 has been decided clearly by a majority that this is the place where Ram was born which Hindu believe for last 1000 of years. This is a concept of deity exclusive to Hindus which I have argued and it has been accepted and Justice Khan without saying so said in so many words that before this mosque construction Hindu has treated that whole area to be a RamJanamsthan though not very specific disputed area

Now One Judge has allowed the Hindus plea completely … All the judges have dismissed the plea of Babri Masjid Action committee and Justice Sudhir Aggarwal along with DV Sharma has clearly held that the place where Ram Lalla is Virajmaan today is the place which Hindus believe for generation as the place of Birth

Now you may recall Barkha in the white paper in Narasimha Rao Govt and the Farooque Judgment also they have said if its proved is the birthplace of Lord ram, we will willing forgo our claim and today when there is a judicial determination ..What I said their in lucknow immediately there after .. I am appealing to your channel .. you are saying India has moved and I am appealing to new India and not to the pseudosecular India who are abound on your channel

Please accept this verdict with all humility… you have got the right to go and appeal but if you help the Hindus willingly to construct a temple at Janamsthan, it will pave the way to new resurgent India.. of trust … of amity barka interrupting and that India appeal which I am making today not as a BJP leader or a senior lawyer or a General Secretary of BJP or Member of Parliament or Chief Spokes person but as an Indian first barka interrupting and I am quite sure Barkha regardless of Pseudo-secularist who are abound on your channel (barka interrupting…..your) There is a India waiting to respond to that appeal

Barkha

I was going to say to you that I dont know if Javed Akhtar is Pseudo Secularist  for you but Javed Akhtar for one hour has been saying that this is an opportunity for reconciliation and that Muslim community must take away a positive message from this verdict and join hands with the Hindus

Ravi Shankar Prasad Interrupting 

Barkha I am sorry for interrupting Barkha.. I know Javed Bhai I know his attitude towards this issue.. he is a good friend but I didn't mean Javed Sahab (barka interrupting…..maybe you)

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Rajiv Dhawan you talked about him.. he is a senior lawyer … I also know law a little not as big as he is barka grinning  But if muslims would have succeeded today had Mr. Dhawan maintained same attitude? This is downright double standard … Please today create an atmosphere of amity Barkha… and I am sure there is a big India which is going to respond India has moved on bout those who are bound in your channel haven't moved

Ravi interrupting

I dont know what you.. who you mean atleast you named one person Rajiv Dhawan but Ravi in that spirit of amity that you have spoken about .. we also got Shekar gupta joining us and Javed akhtar is laughing at what you have said barka grinning but I want to ask you in  this spirit of amity at this point should the BJP perhaps abandon issues like Kashi and Mathura .. should the BJP reach out to the muslims and say ok we have got a go ahead for our mandir but your mosque can comeup along side as well…Can we hear same amity from the BJP that you want from muslims 

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Barkha I know you will ask me this questions and you have been asking this question but is it the occasion for that to ask this question.. This is the larger question I am raising today Why your language .. your Body Language … your analysis does not change for the Barkha I have known for the last 10 years

When the judgment has given a new beginning today why you are not picking up the threads of that beginning

Barkha Interrupting 

you have not been watching you have not been watching me on TV you been in a flight we have been talking about a reconciliation all day (Ravi Shankar Prasad interrupting…..Barkha you are a good friend mine) Sorry you are making an assumption here go ahead

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Barkha what I am telling you…. you are my very good friend barkha I know your view on many things I am not discussing about that but I have a appeal today to a mindset beyond Barkha dutt this question (Barka interrupting…..  This not about Barkha Dutt . This is  about country ) A large part of India

Barkha Interrupting 

This not about Barkha Dutt . its about country sir .. you didn't answer my question. I am simply saying I accept your point. (Ravi interrupting Barkha Barkha) Let me first say I accept your point. There is an opportunity for reconciliation here.  I am simply saying what can BJP do to also enhance this envirment of reconcilation.. Ravi iska to please aap jawab de

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Barkha my reply is very simple I don't owe this reply to Barkha Dutt but when the reconciliation would start a lot f positive vibes would come about but what is my worry is before my appeal has even responded to al the derailment process I see on NDTV. That is something I don't appreciate

When flowery language is distasteful

This covers a article in TOI 'For the first time I've seen a politician who is totally clear about what he wants'

Though the core thrust of article is questionable, Media watch will not comment on it as those are opinion of private individual. Our objection is towards the flowery language used by TOI to describe Rahul Gandhi

In a classic throwback to his familial predecessors, Rahul, too, is driven by the need to know and internalise the strengths and weaknesses, genius and handicaps, naivete and guile of a people he is expected to lead. He is the king-apprentice . Rahul’s great-grandfather , Jawaharlal Nehru, had done the same on returning to India from England at the age of 21. His grandmother, Indira Gandhi, did it under the tutelage of her father. Rahul’s father, Rajiv Gandhi, too had embarked on a similar enterprise — one that proved abortive thanks to Indira’s assassination and his sudden elevation to the top job

What kind of language is this? One donot expect to see such language from a national newspaper in a democratic country.

The accompanying picture is also amusing. What has Rahul carrying load got to do with Party election?

This picture was first published by Hindu exactly 2 years back under heading Lending a hand. We cannot understand the significance of this picture in this article. By the way, following is analysis of the picture also

 

Media Says Nation wants Rahul to be face of CWG. Really?

Today, India woke up with news article on how nation wants Rahul Gandhi to be the face for CWG 2010. Timing and intent of these articles is intriguing considering the fact that these articles came less than 12 hours from success of CWG inaugural ceremony. 

Hindustan Times reported Rahul Gandhi best face for CWG 2010

IBN reports Rahul Gandhi seen as best face for CWG

Deccan Herald reports Face of CWG: Rahul beats Sachin by wide margin

As one would expect, The wordings of all these articles are exactly same

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the most preferred brand ambassador for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, with 72 per cent of the respondents choosing him in the latest survey by a leading industry lobby. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar came next with 62 per cent in the survey, conducted among 10,000 students by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry, ahead of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

So if one were to read in between lines of these articles, it would mean Rahul Gandhi is tallest leader among the youth and they want him to be face of CWG. The reason

Rahul Gandhi is the most honest, straightforward and trustworthy leader

However,

A little further research paints totally different picture. The details published in ASSOCHAM website tells a different story. ASSOCHAM website reveals that other options against Rahul Gandhi were Mr. Sachin Pilot, Mr. Jyotiraj Scindia and Mr. Jitin Prasada. Not even a single  non congress leader was included as an option against Rahul Gandhi.

Also, Rahul and Sachin were in different categories thus were not pitted against each other. It is erroneous to compare the vote gathered by these two. Only thing it tells that the other options in category containing Rahul Gandhi were too weak

This completely changes the picture which media was trying to paint. This means that according to survey among other congress youth leaders(actually assorted congress scions) Rahul is most accepted leader. Its perplexing how  one can even compare Rahul Gandhi with likes of  Mr. Sachin Pilot, Mr. Jyotiraj Scindia and Mr. Jitin Prasada who have recently joined politics. Such comparison would make survey totally onesided making it meaningless(unless that was the intention!)

ASSOCHAM News