The bias shows in a Chennai-based national newspaper
The Darul Uloom at Deoband is one of the most influential Islamic institutions in India. Since Deobandi militants have been responsible for much of terrorism and violence, in Afghanistan, Pakistan and in India, it is natural to take notice when that institution organises an “All India Anti-Terrorism Conference”. According to the Indian Express the Deoband Declaration strongly condemned terrorism and urged “all Muslims to rise above sects and denominational differences to close ranks and fight terrorism”. Predictably, it blamed the government for unduly targeting Muslims “while letting Naxalites get away with their “acts of terrorism”.
The Hindu carries a report on the Deoband conference too. It starts with the complaint about Muslims being ‘hounded’ by intelligence agencies in the name of terrorism, mentions that the UPA’s “tilt” towards the West was assailed, cites the marginalisation of Muslims, calls India a “police state”, before finally telling us that the convention condemned terrorism. Conspicuously though, The Hindu’s report does not say anything about the Deoband gathering’s mention of Naxalites.
All newspapers—more or less—report what they wants their readers to hear. The Hindu hides what it doesn’t want them to know.
Yeah, I was wondering when I read about it and still am, about the reason for Naxalism getting a special mention. May be you could enlighten us.
The “Hindu” is not a national newspaper.It is a cheap rag influenced only by cold and crass commercial considerations.I can even dissect the mindset of n.ram but being a nationalist,i dont want to hurt anyone.Nitin,i hope you have understood.
Nitin:
If the Hindu is biased in favor of Naxalism, the Indian Express bends over backwards to hail this empty declaration from the Deobandi conference. I have read and reread the declaration published at the Deobandi website (link via Offstumped). Nowhere could I find anything said that connotes the Indian Express spin:
Am I missing something here? Can someone point me to the relevant section in the declaration?
As I read the declaration, half of it is a tirade against the West, in particular the U.S., and the other half is a crude attempt to intimidate the counter-terrorism officials of India into inaction.
When i read these these reports i wonder whether the media feels that they can fool all the people all the time , and actually get away with it.
>> When i read these these reports i wonder whether the media feels that they can fool all the people all the time , and actually get away with it. >>
They are not getting away with it. The Deccan Chronicle is set to take over from the Hindu soon. They have a more accurate report of events in Tamilnadu.
They are not getting away with it. The Deccan Chronicle is set to take over from the Hindu soon. They have a more accurate report of events in Tamilnadu. Really. That is news to me. Dethroning The Hindu in Madras? A welcome prospect, mukti it would be certainly, but well nigh impossible!
rc and kaangeya,
Sorry guys. DC is another pinko rag, not as professional as The Hindu but it still boasts of columnists like MJ Akbar (who is also the editor) and leftist rant-o-maniac Seema Mustafa. I’d prefer The Hindu to The Deccan Chronicle ANYDAY.