Freedom of expression Vs NDTV

Freedom for expression went for a toss once again, as a previously lesser known blogger Chyetanya Kunte became the latest victim of media intimidation. His mistake: to criticize the way a senior Indian journalist Barkha Dutt reported the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Outcome: The blogger is made to write an Apology and remove the 'objectionable' post from his blog. Here's a part of the post:

""Appalling journalism," says Chyetanya Kunte, a Netherlands-based engineer, on his web blog Nov 27.

"In one instance, Barkha Dutt of NDTV asks a husband about his wife who is either stuck or held as a hostage. The poor guy adds in the end about where she was last hiding. In another instance, a general of sorts suggests that there were no hostages in Oberoi Trident. Then Dutt calls the head of Oberoi (live) and the idiot confirms a possibility of 100 or more people still in to slay," Kunte says

The above incident outraged bloggers and other free writers, as can be seen on the blogosphere, blogs and forums are flooded with discussions and articles expressing their frustration and anger over the above incident. The perfect proof is that, there is even a group on Facebook,"Can u please take BARKHA off air!" that has close to 5,000 members and numerous discussions.

Now, this Barkha Dutt and NDTV are the same people who have been holding discussions and have been promoting freedom of media and journalism. They cried foul when Indian Government proposed a Censor Board for News Channels and every individual blogger supported them. But sadly, the above incident is in deep contrast to what they have been preaching. This reeks of a double standard so despicable it probably violates some journalistic ethic.

As Patrix puts it beautifully:

"When the reporter becomes the reported, it is usually time to take a closer look at your life and wonder what happened."


However, if bloggers can sit alone at their keyboards, type out their honest opinions, and network with each other on noble causes, they can also fight back against such strong-arm tactics. In this, they’re far more courageous than the media, which infamously crawled when asked to bend. I’m sorry, but Barkha Dutt and her NDTV team cannot gag my right to free speech on the pretext of protecting her right to free speech. If I don’t like a newspaper, I won’t buy it and I’ll say why I don’t like it. The newspaper cannot sue me for that. While we’re on the subject, since NDTV is listed on the Stock Exchange, how about selling its shares if you have bought any?

What’s next, Barkha Dutt and NDTV, are you going to sue the entire Indian blogsphere, and Facebook?