Anant’s blog: Terror GRPs and terror readership
Anant Rangaswami, 25 November, 2009
Mumbai
This morning, the media reported that Shiv Sainiks protested against Leopold’s taking advantage of 26/11 memories by selling merchandise relating to the incident.
For once, I agree with the Shiv Sena. I’ve refused to go to Leopold from the day I first heard that they were selling 26/11 merchandise.
Still, one can understand (while not agreeing with) their identifying and subsequently seizing an opportunity to make money. I avoid Leopold’s; many others feel differently than I do and still go there. And buy 26/11 mugs and other 26/11 merchandise.
I cannot understand all the news media that I consume and the way they are milking the memories of 26/11. All of them (all the English news channels, all the English newspapers published in Mumbai, all the national news magazines) went after the 26/11 story hammer and tongs immediately after the event. They supported citizens’ movements, they reported on victims and victims’ families, on the properties that were damaged. They did investigative stories on the readiness (or the lack) of the government and the police force, of the investigative agencies. The media was full of it.
Till they lost energy or interest.
And they slowly, but surely, forgot all about 26/11.
I cannot think of a single story from a single media house that has resulted in Mumbai becoming safer or that has resulted in changes in the government’s focus on the laxity in security-resulted issues.
I cannot think of a single newspaper, channel or magazine that has taken up an issue related to 26/11 with singlemindedness and has invested in such an issue so as to bring about change.
Like I said, they forgot all about it.
Till about a couple of weeks ago.
And I learn of the unhappiness of Mrs. Salaskar. And I learn about an unhappy Mr. Gafoor. And I learn of the announcer at CST who was a hero and received the pittance of a sum for his heroism – Rs.500!
And I learn of bullet-proof jackets which may or not be bullet-proof. And I learn of speed-boats which have fuel tanks with inadequate capacity. And of an elite force whose members faint after two hours in the sun.
Why didn’t I hear about all this in the months that preceded November?
Because terror GRPs and terror readers weren’t such an opportunity without the magic of the memory of the magic date: 26/11.
It's natural to dig graves to get gold...
Dear Anant:
As Anand clearly pointed out it's nothing but sheer business and as you said it's all about numbers. Special issues, special documentaries, TV shows etc. is all to get eyeballs and ultimately money from advertisers and sponsors. Nobody is doing for the love of the country or a city.
Our society is becoming like one big colony of zombies - wandering everywhere without any direction. Can't expect anything from us!
Take care.
Tushar
When there's Mondys..
When there is Mondys and Totos, why bother with Leopolds..beer anyone?
@moazzam
anant@campaignindia.in
Media tries to touch our psychological strings
Agree with your views sir. Had the loopholes in those bullet jackets, weak army men and faulty speed boats been highlighted and identified by Media earlier, there might have been a little less harm.
By highlighting the loss that has been caused to victims and their families, media tries to touch our psychological strings and keep us hooked to the TV sets...and in the process, ignore their inherent duty to reform.
Editorial and Marketing tentpole
Very well observed Anant - they are using 26/11 as an usual tentpole - for marketing and editorial in news channels. This is normal for them - remember 26th July floods? the train bombings?
Tentpoles have always been used - be it the Independence day, the Kargil war 10 anniversaries - to generate more viewership numbers and hence the advtg dollars
So why boycott poor Leopolds alone Anant?
Sadly, the market seeks
Sadly, the market seeks opportunity even at the anniversary...communication is using social responsibility as a platform to get numbers !!! And content is succumbing to this demand by generating stuff that may or may not continue in intensity for beyond a week of the anniversary.
Role of Media
I agree with you sir...as a media they try to give stories which were unknown...the incident effected people from all walks of life irrespective of their status, class...what all are forgetting is that the international community, specially US is merely talking and no direct action is taken, the people and media not taking more interest on the same, which is very important.
So the text below the
So the text below the headline of your article's link on the home page should have been, "What was the media - and us - doing for a year?"
Terror as marketing opportunity
Right on, Anant!
The fact is that, “events that happen on a particular day” get noticed, but that “events that happen every day” are not noticed or are not considered media-worthy.
So poor MK Gandhi gets dragged out of mothballs come October 2nd, Rajiv Gandhi's pictures are dusted on his birth anniversary and newscasters with choked voices and celebrities bristling with righteous anger congregate in studios to rant about 'the battle against terror' before heading off for the promotional dinner for a luxury brand.
To mix dialogues from two different movies, "Babu moshai, gandha hai par dhanda hai"
Dear Sir...May i know your contact number..for coverage
Dear Anant,
May I know your contact number or your mail id to know the authenticity & coverage of this news through a proper channel.
Plz do reply me soon on my mail id.
Thanks & regards
Moazzam Ali
Delhi
That's right, Anant, but we
That's right, Anant, but we citizens have forgotten quite a bit about 26/11 too. Except if you had a gun pointing you in the face that day.
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