Good News about Modi travels slow

One of biggest news which kept media excited was Post Godhra riots in Gujarat. Newsmedia tookup this issue with a passion never seen before even though India has seen much worse riots before. In fact, Post Godhra riots reporting became a cottage industry in itself. Livelihood of several NGO’s and reporters depended on this issue.

So one would naturally expect Media to get all excited and report when a major news on Modi and Godhra appears.

This morning TOI broke the news SIT clears Narendra Modi of wilfully allowing post-Godhra riots  Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNN, Dec 3, 2010, 12.47am IST

During the course of the day, Some others also broke the news.

India Today, SIT clears Gujarat CM Narendra Modi of wilfully allowing post-Godhra riots December 3, 2010 | Updated 09:38 IST

IBN: Clean chit to Modi in Guj riot cases: sources Posted on Dec 03, 2010 at 14:36

But even after 8 Hours several major Media houses like NDTV or Indian express are yet to even mention this news in their website.  I guess when it comes to Modi Good news (depending upon whom you ask) travels slow.

TOI plays with words

TOI report Narendra Modi presided over ’02 riots: Zadaphia tells SIT - The Times of India

The free dictionary defines presides as

pre·sid·ed, pre·sid·ing, pre·sides

1. to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting

2. to exercise authority; control

For a layman like me; Headline would mean Zadaphia told SIT Modi oversaw (or lead) the riots.

In the body of the news TOI, what exactly Zadaphia told SIT

Zadaphia has told the SIT that it was Modi who kept in touch with senior police officials and bureaucrats during rioting. The former minister alleged that he was sidelined by Modi and was not called for official meetings which were conducted by Modi during the riots.

So Zadapia had actually told SIT that Modi presided during the riots and he called police officers. I am not sure if that’s a crime. Isn't leader of state take direct control over affairs during such an crisis and if I am not wrong Narendra Modi was also the Home Minister in 2002. Isnt it logical that Minister of Home and not his junior (mos for home) presides over meetings